a big round

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big round" can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is large and circular. For example, "The sun is a big round ball of fire in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. ARRINGTON: You guys just raised a big round of financing a week ago from Khosla Ventures.

TechCrunch

A big round for Golovkin.

The Guardian - Sport

A big round mahogany bar.

The Guardian - Travel

Give Ellen a big round of applause.

The Guardian - Opinion

This gets a big round of applause.

The Guardian

So give them a big round of applause.

The New York Times

The drink was gorgeous — a big, round, mouth-filling martini.

The New York Times - Food

The audience gave him a big round of applause.

The New York Times

Please give Vince a big round of applause.

The Washington Post

Give your teachers a big round of applause.

The Washington Post

Creme brulee, with a big, round licorice flavor, is terrific.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big round" to describe applause, ensure the context clearly indicates enthusiastic approval from an audience. For example, "The speaker received a big round of applause after the presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "a big round" to describe abstract concepts or situations where the roundness or size doesn't logically apply. For instance, it would be inappropriate to say "a big round of sadness" because sadness isn't a physical object that can be round.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big round" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that is both large in size and circular in shape. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is often used to describe physical objects or metaphorical instances like applause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big round" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something large and circular. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news, media, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's appropriateness for describing physical objects and applause. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its descriptive purpose and avoid applying it to abstract concepts where size and roundness are irrelevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial circle

Replaces 'big' with 'substantial' and 'round' with 'circle', emphasizing the size and shape respectively.

a large sphere

Substitutes 'round' with 'sphere', highlighting the three-dimensional aspect of a round object.

a considerable disc

Uses 'considerable' for 'big' and 'disc' for 'round', suggesting a flat, circular form of significant size.

an ample ring

Replaces 'big' with 'ample' and 'round' with 'ring', indicating a circular shape with plenty of space.

a sizeable wheel

Replaces 'big' with 'sizeable' and 'round' with 'wheel', implying a large, circular object designed for rotation.

a full circle

Emphasizes the completeness of the circle, differing from merely describing its size.

a great globe

Emphasizes the round shape as a global or spherical form, moving away from simple size.

a generous curve

Focuses on the curved aspect, which is part of what makes it round, but deviates from size.

a wide circumference

Highlights the measurement around a circle, shifting the focus from the object itself to its dimensions.

a broad arc

Highlights a segment of a circle rather than the whole shape.

FAQs

How can I use "a big round" in a sentence?

You can use "a big round" to describe the shape and size of an object, as in "The table was a big round oak". It can also describe applause, like in "The comedian received "a big round of applause" after his joke".

What are some alternatives to "a big round"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a big round" could be "substantial circle", "large sphere", or phrases that focus on other characteristics like "full circle".

Is it correct to say "a big round applause"?

While understandable, it's more common and grammatically sound to say ""a big round of applause"". The preposition "of" connects the adjective phrase to the noun in a standard way.

What's the difference between "a big round table" and "a large circular table"?

Both phrases describe a table that is both big and round. "A big round table" is slightly more idiomatic and emphasizes the size and shape equally, while "a large circular table" may slightly emphasize the size over the shape.