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.
Upset about being undercut, the Texas bigwig resolves to put Georgie out of business. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2025 Lobbyist Robert McBride, who just sold his house in Montauk for over $10 million to Carbone’s chef Rich Torrisi, has been holding court there with political bigwigs. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025 As can be gleaned by his social media accounts, he’s been incredibly busy traversing the world from Brisbane to Lausanne, mixing it with the bigwigs of world sport in his new role as the chair of the International Cricket Council. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 11 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bigwig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigwig. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bigwig

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