bigwig

noun

big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig How to pronounce bigwig (audio)
: an important person

Examples of bigwig in a Sentence

a bigwig in local politics interviewed by several bigwigs on the hospital's staff
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That project, which details the two artists’ love story, is coming on March 21 and features contributions from music industry bigwigs like Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and Finneas. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 In 1987, Hackman starred opposite Kevin Costner and Sean Young in Roger Donaldson's No Way Out, which finds his desperate government bigwig David Brice with blood on his hands after the accidental murder of his mistress. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Kevin's wife Bella (Lara Pulver) is meeting her estranged dad, an apparent government bigwig with powerful friends. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025 So all signs seem to be pointing to this tiny demon being at least a bigwig in the halls of Hell, if not the devil himself. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bigwig

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bigwig was in 1703

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Cite this Entry

“Bigwig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigwig. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bigwig

noun
big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig How to pronounce bigwig (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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