greats: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, academic, historical, evaluative.
Quick answer
What does “greats” mean?
The plural form of 'great', referring to people, works, or things of outstanding importance, significance, or excellence within a particular field.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'great', referring to people, works, or things of outstanding importance, significance, or excellence within a particular field.
Can refer to the most important or influential figures in a domain (e.g., 'the literary greats'), their major works (e.g., 'reading the greats'), or, in specific contexts like university examinations, a first-class or highest honors degree (chiefly British, historical).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The degree classification sense ('got a greats in Classics') is exclusively British (specifically Oxford). The sense of 'important figures/works' is shared, but more culturally embedded in UK discourse regarding history, literature, and philosophy.
Connotations
In UK: Strong association with classical education, canonical works, and institutional tradition. In US: More focused on iconic figures in broader popular culture (e.g., 'the greats of jazz').
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English, particularly in academic/historical contexts. In American English, often preceded by a defining adjective ('the Hollywood greats', 'the all-time greats').
Grammar
How to Use “greats” in a Sentence
VERB + greats: study, read, admire, join, rank among, be considered one of theADJ + greats: all-time, absolute, undisputed, literary, cinematic, sportingPREP + greats: among the greats, of the greats, by the greatsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “greats” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She read Literae Humaniores, the Oxford course known as 'Greats'.
- The seminar focused on the philosophical greats of the 18th century.
American English
- The documentary profiled the all-time greats of baseball.
- Her ambition is to be counted among the greats of modern architecture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'industry greats' referring to legendary entrepreneurs or CEOs.
Academic
Common in humanities: referring to canonical authors, philosophers, or theorists.
Everyday
Used in discussions of sport, music, film: 'He's among the tennis greats.'
Technical
Not typical.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “greats”
- Using 'the great' as a plural noun (*'He is among the great'*). Using it for trivial subjects (*'the greats of my office'*). Confusing with 'Greats' as a proper noun for the Oxford Classics degree.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for people, it can also refer to their seminal works (e.g., 'reading the greats of Russian literature').
No, 'greats' is strictly plural. For one person, use 'a great' or 'one of the greats'.
Yes, but officially it is 'Literae Humaniores'. 'Greats' remains the informal, traditional name for the Classics undergraduate course.
'Greats' implies achieved, recognized status and influence within a field. 'Geniuses' emphasizes exceptional innate intellectual or creative power, which may not be fully recognized or channeled into canonical works.
The plural form of 'great', referring to people, works, or things of outstanding importance, significance, or excellence within a particular field.
Greats is usually formal, academic, historical, evaluative. in register.
Greats: in British English it is pronounced /ɡreɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡreɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats”
- “go down in history as one of the greats”
- “a place among the greats”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GREATS = Greatest Results Ever Achieved By The Select (few).
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCELLENCE IS SIZE/HEIGHT ('greats' as giants, towers). ACHIEVEMENT IS ASCENT (joining the greats on a pedestal or in a hall of fame).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Greats' capitalised and most specific?