Big-time
adj.capable, energeticplayful
What it means
Highly successful, influential, or prominent in a field.
Reach for it when giving informal praise for reaching a major level
The neighborhood chef became a big-time restaurateur without leaving the old market.
Choose between these
6- playful
status, energy, and influence combine in an informal profile
not when High-powered can imply pressure, wealth, or aggression.
- everyday
achievement of goals is the only claim
not when Successful gives no sense of scale or influence.
- warm
performance belongs at a very high level
not when Top-flight is regional and focuses quality more than prominence.
- professional
the ability to shape decisions or a field is what matters
not when Influential does not require fame or commercial achievement.
- professional
scale or importance needs restrained wording
not when Major does not convey personal success or celebrity.
- formal
prominent
visibility and recognized standing are central
not when Prominent may arise from controversy rather than success.
Said against
3- small-time
- obscure
- unsuccessful
It naturally appears in
3- big-time success
Big-time success gave the studio leverage to protect its apprentices.
- big-time player
The cooperative became a big-time player in regional food distribution.
- big-time career
Her big-time career still made room for the youth orchestra.
Usage notes
Big-time is informal and can imply status or celebrity more than merit.