big name
noun
: a performer or personage of top rank in popular recognition
a big name in the business world
big-name
ˈbig-ˌnām 
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Everything is star-driven, every movie needs to have a big name. 
Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 When a member of the media asked a Mercedes-Benz executive a question about the automaker’s new electric SUV, a very big name dropped. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 Hiring an actual big name such as Ron Darling is probably a pipe dream. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 Be transparent and honest, and add a video testimonial to your website—this will give you much more authority than using a big name with no evidence. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 July 2022 The Florida Panthers lost their first big name during the first day of free agency on Wednesday as star forward Claude Giroux signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Ottawa Senators. Francisco Rosa, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2022 MasterChef usually enlists a big name to drop by the kitchen on finale night to set the ultimate final challenge. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 6 July 2022 Over the years, the brand has also made a big name for itself within pop culture and the streetwear arena due to its sneaker collaborations with luxury fashion houses like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Gucci, and Balenciaga. Jacorey Moon, Men's Health, 30 June 2022 As another election season ramps up, an old campaign controversy involving a big name and a lot of money has lain dormant for eight years and, in practical terms, may already have been pronounced dead. Hartford Courant, 27 June 2022 See More
Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 When a member of the media asked a Mercedes-Benz executive a question about the automaker’s new electric SUV, a very big name dropped. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 Hiring an actual big name such as Ron Darling is probably a pipe dream. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 Be transparent and honest, and add a video testimonial to your website—this will give you much more authority than using a big name with no evidence. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 July 2022 The Florida Panthers lost their first big name during the first day of free agency on Wednesday as star forward Claude Giroux signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Ottawa Senators. Francisco Rosa, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2022 MasterChef usually enlists a big name to drop by the kitchen on finale night to set the ultimate final challenge. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 6 July 2022 Over the years, the brand has also made a big name for itself within pop culture and the streetwear arena due to its sneaker collaborations with luxury fashion houses like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Gucci, and Balenciaga. Jacorey Moon, Men's Health, 30 June 2022 As another election season ramps up, an old campaign controversy involving a big name and a lot of money has lain dormant for eight years and, in practical terms, may already have been pronounced dead. Hartford Courant, 27 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1881, in the meaning defined above
big-name
adjective
as in famous
widely known several big-name writers gave readings at the book festival Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- famous
- famed
- prominent
- renowned
- celebrated
- notorious
- legendary
- star
- distinguished
- well-known
- infamous
- respected
- notable
- illustrious
- noted
- visible
- leading
- prestigious
- outstanding
- popular
- respectable
- eminent
- noteworthy
- reputable
- important
- fabled
- great
- favorite
- remarkable
- honorable
- exceptional
- preeminent
- fabulous
- significant
- recognized
- preferred
- superior
- formidable
- acknowledged
- redoubtable
- estimable
- supereminent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscure
- unknown
- unsung
- nameless
- anonymous
- unfamous
- unimportant
- insignificant
- inconspicuous
- undistinguished
- unpopular
- uncelebrated
- unexceptional