major
English meaning: Major
Definition
A military rank between captain and lieutenant colonel.
Example
“He used to be a major in the army.”
Another example: “Climate change is one of the major challenges of our time.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Several senses: a military rank above captain; an adjective meaning large or important ('a major problem'); a student's main field of study (US, 'major in history'); and a key in music. Common in military, academic, musical and everyday contexts. Contrast 'minor'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'maior' (greater), comparative of 'magnus' (great); entered English in the 16th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
Common Collocations
- major problem
- major role
- major city
- major in
- major league
- major surgery
Word Forms
major (n, adj & v); majors; majored; majoring; majority (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B