major
B1Formal and Informal (core meanings); Formal (specialized contexts like military and music)
Definition
Meaning
Very large, important, or significant when compared to other things of the same kind.
In a military context, a rank; in education, the principal subject of study at university; in music, a specific type of key or scale.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, often implies a comparative judgment ('major' vs. 'minor') and is gradable. As a noun, its meaning is highly context-dependent (military, education, law).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'to major in' a subject is understood but considered an Americanism; 'to read' or 'to study' is more traditional. In US English, 'major' (noun/verb) for university study is standard.
Connotations
Similar core connotations of importance. The educational sense has stronger, more native connotations in US English.
Frequency
The educational noun/verb sense is significantly more frequent in US English corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + N (major problem)MAJOR IN + N (He majors in physics)VERB + MAJOR (declare a major)N + MAJOR (a history major)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Major league (significant or important)”
- “Make a major play for (try hard to get)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to significant players, markets, or factors: 'a major competitor', 'a major investment'.
Academic
Principal field of study: 'Her major is biology.' Also used in research: 'a major finding'.
Everyday
Describing significant problems, events, or decisions: 'a major repair', 'a major holiday'.
Technical
Music: 'C major scale'. Military: 'rank of major'. Law: 'major versus minor'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She plans to major in law at university.
- Not commonly used as a verb in traditional UK English; 'read' or 'study' is preferred.
American English
- He's majoring in computer science.
- I haven't declared a major yet, but I'm leaning toward political science.
adverb
British English
- 'Major' is not used as a standard adverb. Use 'majorly' informally (slang).
- Informal: That idea is majorly cool.
American English
- 'Majorly' is informal/slang: I was majorly stressed about the exam.
- Standard adverb forms: 'significantly', 'considerably'.
adjective
British English
- A major road closure will cause delays all week.
- The report highlighted a major discrepancy in the figures.
American English
- We are facing a major shortage of skilled workers.
- She played a major role in the project's success.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a major exam tomorrow.
- It's a major city with many people.
- This is a major road on the map.
- Pollution is a major problem in many countries.
- He decided to major in engineering at college.
- There was a major accident on the motorway.
- The discovery of penicillin was a major breakthrough in medicine.
- Shifting to renewable energy will require a major investment.
- Cultural differences can be a major factor in international business.
- The committee's findings represented a major departure from established policy.
- Her research majors on the socio-economic impacts of urban regeneration.
- The symphony modulates from a minor to a major key in the final movement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAJORity – it's the larger, more important part.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS SIZE / SIGNIFICANCE IS RANK
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'major problem' as 'главная проблема' (which implies 'main' among many); better: 'крупная/серьёзная проблема'.
- The educational 'major' does not directly correlate with Russian 'специальность'; it's closer to 'основная специализация'.
- The military rank 'major' is a false friend of Russian 'майор'; the ranks are not equivalent in NATO hierarchy.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'more major' (prefer 'more significant/more important').
- Using 'major' as an ungradable adjective (*'absolutely major').
- Confusing 'major in' (study) with 'specialize in' (work focus).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'major' is MOST characteristic of American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally avoided in formal writing. 'Major' is a gradable adjective, but native speakers prefer 'more significant', 'more important', or 'bigger' for the comparative.
The verb 'to major in' (meaning to specialize in a subject at university) is understood but is considered an Americanism. Traditional British English uses 'to read' or 'to study'.
'Main' refers to the primary one among several (the main door, the main reason). 'Major' emphasizes great importance, size, or seriousness, often in a comparative sense (a major problem, a major earthquake). They are often not interchangeable.
The opposite is 'minor'. A 'major key' or scale has a bright, happy sound, while a 'minor key' has a sadder, more melancholic sound.