great
Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average; very large or important.
Etymology
From Old English grēat (big, thick, coarse), from Proto-Germanic *grautaz, possibly from PIE *gʰrewt- (to grind coarsely) or *gʰrewd- (coarse, large-grained). The original sense was 'coarse, thick' (as in coarsely ground grain), not 'eminent' or 'important.' The abstract meaning of greatness developed during the Middle English period. English grit and groats (hulled grain) may be related.
The Journey: *gʰrewt- → great
*gʰrewt- (uncertain)
*grautaz
grēat
great
Cognates Across Languages
These words in other languages descend from the same PIE root *gʰrewt-. They are not borrowings but independent inheritances from a common ancestor.
| Language | Word |
|---|---|
| Dutch | groot — great, large |
| German | groß — great, large |
| Old Norse | grautr — porridge (coarse meal) |
Did You Know?
Great originally meant 'coarsely ground' — like grit or groats. Calling someone 'great' was originally saying they were thick or bulky. The journey from 'coarse grain' to 'Alexander the Great' is one of English's most dramatic upgrades in meaning.