maggiore
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
greater in size, importance, or seriousness; of full legal age; a principal subject of study
significant, important, or serious; a military rank above captain; a student's primary academic focus; in music, a scale or key with a bright, happy sound
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, 'major' implies comparative importance or scale. As a noun, it has distinct meanings in education, military, and music. The verb form means 'to specialize in a subject at university'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'major' as a verb (to major in) is less common historically but now widely understood due to American influence. In US English, it's standard for academic specialization. The military rank is identical. In sports, 'major' for tournaments is more common in US English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'major' suggests importance. In US academic contexts, it's a central concept. In UK English, 'principal' or 'main' might be preferred in some formal contexts.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to academic usage ('declaring a major'). In UK English, 'course' or 'degree subject' is often used instead of 'major'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
major + noun (adj)major in + subject (verb)be/become a + major (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “major league (important/serious)”
- “make a major play for (try hard to get)”
- “it's not exactly major surgery (it's not difficult)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to significant companies, markets, or decisions (e.g., 'a major player in the industry').
Academic
Primary field of study (US) or important research development.
Everyday
Describing significant events, problems, or changes.
Technical
In music: a specific scale; in military: a specific rank; in law: of full age.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She plans to major in law at university.
- Not many students major in classics these days.
American English
- I'm majoring in computer science with a minor in math.
- He majored in business before going to med school.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) The plan was majorly flawed from the start. (informal)
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) They majorly screwed up the presentation. (informal)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a major test tomorrow.
- London is a major city.
- Pollution is a major problem in many countries.
- He played a major role in the team's success.
- The discovery of penicillin was a major breakthrough in medicine.
- A major factor in their decision was the cost of living.
- The report highlights a major flaw in the current regulatory framework.
- Her research constitutes a major contribution to the field of neuroscience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAJORity – it's the greater part. A MAJOR issue is one that matters more.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS SIZE (a major issue), SERIOUSNESS IS WEIGHT (a major problem), SPECIALIZATION IS A PATH (to major in history).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'майор' (the military rank) when the meaning is 'главный' or 'основной'.
- The adjective 'major' does not mean 'взрослый' (that's 'of age').
- The verb 'to major in' has no direct single-word Russian equivalent – use 'специализироваться по'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'major' as a countable adjective without a noun (*'It is a major.').
- Confusing 'major' with 'main' (more about function vs. importance).
- Overusing 'major' for minor issues, weakening its impact.
Practice
Quiz
In a US university context, what does 'to major in' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Main' refers to the most important element in a system or structure (e.g., the main door). 'Major' emphasizes comparative importance, scale, or seriousness, often among several significant things (e.g., a major city among many large cities).
Yes, though it originated in American English. It is now widely understood and used in the UK, especially in university contexts, though some traditionalists might prefer 'read' or 'study' (e.g., 'I read history at Oxford').
The opposite is 'a minor chord'. Major chords typically sound bright or happy, while minor chords sound sad or melancholic.
No, it is generally considered incorrect or poor style. 'Major' itself denotes a high degree of importance. Use alternatives like 'extremely important', 'critically important', or 'of major significance'.