μεγαλύτερο
Wordform Details
Translation: biggestlargestgreatest
Part of Speech: adjective
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularaccusativecomparativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: μεγάλος
Translation: big; large; great; tall; grand; major (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek μεγάλος (megalos), from μέγας (megas, 'great, large'). This root appears in many English words such as 'megaphone', 'megabyte', 'megalith', 'megalopolis', and 'megalomania'. The Indo-European root *meg- ('great') is also found in Latin 'magnus', which gives us English words like 'magnitude', 'magnificent', and 'magnify'.
Mnemonics
- Think of English words with 'mega-' like 'megaphone' or 'megabyte' to remember μεγάλος means 'big' or 'large'.
- The word sounds a bit like 'mega-loss' which could remind you that something μεγάλος is of mega proportions.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Greek culture, 'μεγάλος' is used in many religious contexts, particularly in Orthodox Christianity, such as 'Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα' (Holy Week) and 'Μεγάλη Παρασκευή' (Good Friday). It's also used in expressions of respect, like referring to someone as 'μεγάλος άνθρωπος' (a great person) to indicate their importance or moral stature.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'μεγάλος' is an adjective meaning 'big' or 'great', 'μεγαλείο' is a noun meaning 'grandeur' or 'greatness'.
Confused word:
Το μεγαλείο της αρχαίας Ελλάδας είναι αδιαμφισβήτητο.
The grandeur of ancient Greece is undisputed.
Notes: Both words share the same root related to greatness or largeness.
Mnemonic: 'Μεγάλος' ends in -ος like many adjectives, while 'μεγαλείο' ends in -είο like many nouns.
Explanation: While 'μεγάλος' refers to size in general (big, large), 'μακρύς' specifically refers to length (long).
Confused word:
Έχει μακρύ μαλλί.
She has long hair.
Notes: In some contexts, they can be used interchangeably when referring to physical objects, but they emphasize different dimensions.
Mnemonic: Think of 'macro' (large) for 'μεγάλος' and 'macro-length' for 'μακρύς'.