big wheel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “big wheel” mean?
A very large, upright rotating wheel carrying passenger cars at an amusement park or fair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very large, upright rotating wheel carrying passenger cars at an amusement park or fair.
An informal term for a person who has a great deal of power or influence in a particular field or organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are used in both regions. The literal sense is more frequently called a 'Ferris wheel' in American English, whereas 'big wheel' is also common in British English.
Connotations
The figurative sense is slightly more common in American business/political contexts. In the UK, the literal sense might be more readily understood by the general public.
Frequency
The figurative sense is low-to-medium frequency in business/political journalism. The literal sense is medium frequency in general contexts related to fairs/amusements.
Grammar
How to Use “big wheel” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a big wheel in [field/organization].The big wheels from [company] attended.He's become one of the big wheels.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big wheel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to refer to senior executives or major investors.
Academic
Rarely used; more formal terms like 'influential actor' or 'elite' are preferred.
Everyday
Used for the amusement ride or to jokingly refer to someone locally important.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; engineering term is 'Ferris wheel' or 'observation wheel'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big wheel”
- Using 'big wheel' in formal writing.
- Confusing 'big wheel' (person) with 'big fish' (similar metaphor).
- Capitalizing it as a title: 'He is a Big Wheel.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Big wheel' is a common, informal name. 'Ferris wheel' is the more formal, standard term, named after its inventor, George Ferris.
It is usually neutral or slightly humorous. It can be mildly sarcastic if used to imply someone is self-important. Context is key.
No, it is only a noun. You cannot say 'a big-wheel executive'. You would say 'a big-wheel executive' is incorrect; use 'a top executive' or 'an influential executive'.
The figurative sense ('important person') is informal and could be classified as colloquial or business slang. The literal sense is standard, though less formal than 'Ferris wheel'.
A very large, upright rotating wheel carrying passenger cars at an amusement park or fair.
Big wheel is usually informal / figurative in register.
Big wheel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈwiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈ(h)wil/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a big wheel in the industry”
- “the big wheels get together”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a giant Ferris wheel. Now imagine the most important person in a company sitting at the very top, looking down on everyone else. The big wheel is both the ride and the boss.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE/STATUS IS SIZE; HIERARCHY IS VERTICALITY (being at the top/a big wheel).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'big wheel' LEAST likely to be used?