greatly
English meaning: Greatly
Definition
To a great extent or degree.
Example
“Expenses greatly exceeded revenues this year.”
Another example: “His early work greatly influenced later painters.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral to formal; an adverb meaning very much or to a large degree ('greatly improved', 'greatly admired'). Slightly more formal than 'a lot'. Common in writing and considered speech, often before a verb or past participle.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'greatlice', from 'great' (large) plus the adverbial suffix '-lice' (-ly).
Synonyms
- enormously
- considerably
- substantially
- hugely
- vastly
Antonyms / Opposites
- slightly
- barely
- minimally
Related Words
Common Collocations
- greatly improved
- greatly appreciated
- greatly admired
- greatly influenced
- vary greatly
Word Forms
great (adj); greatly (adv); greatness (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
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B