big name

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big name

informal

a. a famous person

b. (as modifier): a big-name performer.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

big′ name′

a recognized leader in a particular field: one of the big names in education.

[1930–35]

big′-name`, adj.

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big name

noun celebrity, star, personality, superstar, name, dignitary, luminary, bigwig (informal), celeb (informal), face (informal), big shot (informal), personage, megastar (informal), lion, V.I.P. all the big names in rock and pop

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

big name

noun

Informal. A famous person:

celebrity, hero, lion, luminary, name, notable, personage, personality.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Diehard Diamond Ross said that there was such a great response last year that he was desperate to organise another big name clash.

Celebs set to shine for Diamonds

Until golf 's bosses pluck up the courage to make an example of a big name, players will continue to set the wrong example to the rest of us watching in dismay.

Reed it & weep; European Tour must stop pandering to celebs

"I understand the desire for a big name every winter.

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However, the RTE rising star is not the big name working on the hit programme as can reveal Maia Dunphy has been secretly writing scripts behind the scenes.

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"We have seen some big name brands recently voicing their concern that shoppers confuse supermarket own brand products such as those from Aldi because the packaging is so similar.

Revealed: The supermarket brands you prefer to big name brands; They surveyed over 2,000 Britons on what grocery products they prefer to buy when shopping

It will be the latest big name to abandon the town centre with M&S, Next, Co-op and Store Twenty One among those that have left.

Dorothy Perkins and Burtons to close in Rhyl; IN BRIEF

Me getting frustrated isn't going to help me get a big name in the ring."

quigg reminder that big name will be coming soon

Despite the debacles of Ironmonger Square, the badly placed greenery in front of Holy Trinity, Broadgate, the unfinished High Street and the mess in front of the council house, she still intends to continue with the Friargate Folly which will impinge on our very effective ring road and then destroy the perfectly satisfactory shopping centre to the south of the Precinct, so that 'big name' stores can be enticed into the city.

We don't need overpriced shops in city; Letters

He said Pietersen is still a big name in India and the IPL side was looking to get associated with some big name players.

Pietersen signs up with IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils

As well as snaring big name talent for the night, the club is also transforming itself for the event with its Mansion room being turned into a "super-sexy playground" including dancers, drag queens and circus performers.

Big names roll in for new year fun; Clubs

Summary: Rapper and singer Example says he wants to try acting but would need a 'big name' like Colin Farrell to attract him to the project.

Rapper Example wants to act with Colin Farrell

Big name stars play tiny in-store gigs this week to mark Record Store Day, invented to bring attention to independent music vendors.