Bigness is a quality we often experience but don’t always have the perfect words to describe. Whether it’s a huge building, a massive idea, or a giant feeling that fills the room, it helps to have the right expressions to capture just how enormous something is. That’s where similes come in—they compare something big to something even bigger using the words “like” or “as,” making the size easier to imagine.
In this post, we’re going to explore 55 creative similes for the word “big.” These comparisons will help you describe size in vivid, fun, and relatable ways. Each simile includes a clear meaning, a long sentence showing how to use it, and a few similar ways to say the same thing. At the end, you’ll also find a little exercise to practice your new similes!
Similes for Big
1. Big as a whale
Meaning: Extremely large in size.
In a Sentence: When the cruise ship pulled up next to the dock, it looked as big as a whale, stretching out so wide and tall that it made everything around it seem tiny in comparison.
Other Ways to Say: Massive, Huge like a cruise ship
2. Big as a house
Meaning: Very large, especially in width or appearance.
In a Sentence: After putting on my oversized winter coat and five layers of sweaters, I looked as big as a house, waddling down the street like a walking closet.
Other Ways to Say: Large as life, Enormous
3. Big as a mountain
Meaning: Towering and huge.
In a Sentence: His ambition was as big as a mountain, rising high above all the challenges and reaching into the clouds of possibility.
Other Ways to Say: Gigantic, Tall as the sky
4. Big as an elephant
Meaning: Hugely noticeable or physically large.
In a Sentence: The new mascot costume was as big as an elephant, so wide and heavy that it took two people just to move it across the gym.
Other Ways to Say: Jumbo, Huge like a beast
5. Big as the sky
Meaning: Limitless or wide-reaching.
In a Sentence: Her dreams were as big as the sky, stretching farther than the eye could see and filled with endless possibilities.
Other Ways to Say: Endless, Sky-high
6. Big as a barn
Meaning: Very large and spacious.
In a Sentence: That garage is as big as a barn, big enough to park five cars and still have space left over for a ping pong table and a workbench.
Other Ways to Say: Spacious, Massive
7. Big as a castle
Meaning: Grand and huge like a palace.
In a Sentence: Their vacation rental was as big as a castle, with rooms so large you could get lost just walking from one end to the other.
Other Ways to Say: Palatial, Royal-sized
8. Big as a boulder
Meaning: Large and solid, heavy in size.
In a Sentence: He carried a backpack that was as big as a boulder, packed with books, lunch, and every single item he could think of for school.
Other Ways to Say: Rock-solid, Hefty
9. Big as a dinosaur
Meaning: Gigantic and ancient-looking in size.
In a Sentence: The carnival ride was as big as a dinosaur, towering over the field with its long arms and spinning parts that seemed to touch the sky.
Other Ways to Say: Giant-sized, Prehistoric in scale
10. Big as the ocean
Meaning: Vast and deep.
In a Sentence: His imagination was as big as the ocean, filled with waves of wild stories and deep thoughts that never seemed to end.
Other Ways to Say: Boundless, Deep and wide
11. Big as a blimp
Meaning: Bulky and floating large.
In a Sentence: That cloud looked as big as a blimp, floating slowly across the sky like a lazy balloon drifting on a summer breeze.
Other Ways to Say: Inflated, Airy and large
12. Big as the universe
Meaning: Infinitely massive.
In a Sentence: Their curiosity was as big as the universe, always reaching outward and asking questions that stretched across stars and galaxies.
Other Ways to Say: Cosmic, Infinite
13. Big as a gorilla
Meaning: Large and muscular.
In a Sentence: The security guard was as big as a gorilla, standing firm with broad shoulders that could probably block an entire doorway.
Other Ways to Say: Towering, Built like a tank
14. Big as a bus
Meaning: Very obvious and large.
In a Sentence: That lie was as big as a bus, so large and unbelievable that anyone could see right through it.
Other Ways to Say: Massive, Hard to miss
15. Big as a hot air balloon
Meaning: Large, round, and floating high.
In a Sentence: My excitement felt as big as a hot air balloon, rising higher and higher the closer I got to the front of the line.
Other Ways to Say: Lifting with joy, Large and light
16. Big as a stadium
Meaning: Very spacious, able to hold many.
In a Sentence: That event hall was as big as a stadium, filled wall to wall with chairs, lights, and people ready for the show.
Other Ways to Say: Arena-sized, Gigantic
17. Big as a freight train
Meaning: Long, strong, and powerful.
In a Sentence: His voice was as big as a freight train, rumbling through the room with words that couldn’t be ignored.
Other Ways to Say: Unstoppable, Loud and huge
18. Big as a dragon
Meaning: Large and mighty like a myth.
In a Sentence: That wave was as big as a dragon, roaring across the shore with foam and spray flying everywhere.
Other Ways to Say: Enormous, Fierce
19. Big as a moon
Meaning: Large, round, and glowing.
In a Sentence: Her eyes lit up and her smile grew as big as a moon, beaming across the room with happiness that felt impossible to miss.
Other Ways to Say: Bright and wide, Shining large
20. Big as a galaxy
Meaning: Vast beyond measure.
In a Sentence: His imagination was as big as a galaxy, bursting with wild stories, endless ideas, and dreams that stretched far beyond what anyone could see.
Other Ways to Say: Limitless, Expansive
21. Big as a truck
Meaning: Enormous in size, especially for vehicles.
In a Sentence: That sandwich was as big as a truck, piled so high with meat and cheese it took two hands just to hold it.
Other Ways to Say: Oversized, Heavy-duty
22. Big as a hill
Meaning: Tall and rounded in size.
In a Sentence: The pile of laundry looked as big as a hill, growing bigger every day I avoided folding it.
Other Ways to Say: Mound-like, Towering
23. Big as a planet
Meaning: Enormous and circular.
In a Sentence: His appetite was as big as a planet, and somehow he still had room for dessert after eating everything on his plate.
Other Ways to Say: Round and vast, Out-of-this-world
24. Big as a parade float
Meaning: Wide, colorful, and eye-catching.
In a Sentence: The birthday cake was as big as a parade float, covered in decorations and towering candles that lit up the entire room.
Other Ways to Say: Show-stopping, Celebration-sized
25. Big as a mountain lion
Meaning: Large and powerful in movement.
In a Sentence: The cat was as big as a mountain lion, stretching across the whole couch like it owned the place.
Other Ways to Say: Wildly large, Fierce and big
26. Big as a cruise ship
Meaning: Massive and full of features.
In a Sentence: That new TV was as big as a cruise ship, taking up the entire wall and making movie night feel like a theater.
Other Ways to Say: Giant-sized, Mega-screen
27. Big as a refrigerator
Meaning: Tall and boxy in size.
In a Sentence: The moving boxes were as big as a refrigerator, stacked so high I could barely see over them.
Other Ways to Say: Heavy, Bulky
28. Big as a jet
Meaning: Fast, loud, and large.
In a Sentence: The noise from the concert was as big as a jet, roaring through the air and shaking everything nearby.
Other Ways to Say: Ear-splitting, Loud and massive
29. Big as a volcano
Meaning: Large and explosive in presence.
In a Sentence: His temper was as big as a volcano, ready to erupt at any second when things didn’t go his way.
Other Ways to Say: Intense, Boiling over
30. Big as a city
Meaning: Massive and full of life.
In a Sentence: Her dreams were as big as a city, full of buildings, lights, people, and endless streets of ambition.
Other Ways to Say: Urban-sized, Full of scope
31. Big as a bear
Meaning: Large and strong.
In a Sentence: That hug was as big as a bear, wrapping me up in warmth like I was caught in a giant, fluffy trap.
Other Ways to Say: Hugely warm, Beastly-sized
32. Big as a mountain range
Meaning: Enormously long and wide.
In a Sentence: The pile of homework felt as big as a mountain range, stretching from one end of my desk to the other.
Other Ways to Say: Never-ending, Spread out
33. Big as a Ferris wheel
Meaning: Tall and circular, often for fun.
In a Sentence: That lollipop was as big as a Ferris wheel, spinning with colors and almost too large to bite.
Other Ways to Say: Fun-sized, Carnival huge
34. Big as a snowman
Meaning: Round and built-up.
In a Sentence: He bundled up in so many layers that he looked as big as a snowman, waddling through the snow with a scarf dragging behind.
Other Ways to Say: Puffy, Layered up
35. Big as a garage door
Meaning: Wide and tall like a door for cars.
In a Sentence: The new flat-screen was as big as a garage door, hanging on the wall like it could open up and show the sky.
Other Ways to Say: Wall-sized, Oversized
36. Big as a school bus
Meaning: Long, bright, and unmistakably large.
In a Sentence: The moving van was as big as a school bus and just as bright, catching everyone’s attention on the street.
Other Ways to Say: Transport-sized, Long and bold
37. Big as a hangar
Meaning: Extremely wide, like a plane garage.
In a Sentence: That warehouse was as big as a hangar, echoing with every step I took and making me feel like an ant inside.
Other Ways to Say: Echoing wide, Vast interior
38. Big as a sand dune
Meaning: Large and sweeping like a hill of sand.
In a Sentence: The dog dug a hole in the backyard as big as a sand dune, and now it looks like we’re building a beach.
Other Ways to Say: Sandy and massive, Dune-sized
39. Big as a theater screen
Meaning: Huge and attention-grabbing.
In a Sentence: That slideshow was as big as a theater screen, flashing across the room like we were all sitting at the movies.
Other Ways to Say: Presentation-sized, Oversized visual
40. Big as a canyon
Meaning: Deep and wide, often overwhelming.
In a Sentence: The gap between our ideas felt as big as a canyon, stretching far and wide with no bridge in sight.
Other Ways to Say: Grand, Uncrossable
41. Big as a tidal wave
Meaning: Massive and powerful, hard to stop.
In a Sentence: The reaction to her announcement was as big as a tidal wave, washing over the room with surprise and excitement.
Other Ways to Say: Overwhelming, Rolling in strong
42. Big as a spaceship
Meaning: Large, futuristic, and hard to miss.
In a Sentence: That new science exhibit is as big as a spaceship, filled with blinking lights and giant moving parts that captivate everyone.
Other Ways to Say: Intergalactic-sized, Alien-level huge
43. Big as a water tower
Meaning: Tall and towering over surroundings.
In a Sentence: The sculpture was as big as a water tower, standing proudly above the square and casting shade all around.
Other Ways to Say: Vertical and large, Towering
44. Big as a supermarket
Meaning: Wide and full of space.
In a Sentence: Their kitchen is as big as a supermarket, with long counters and shelves that could hold enough food for a whole neighborhood.
Other Ways to Say: Grocery-sized, Spacious and full
45. Big as a barn door
Meaning: Broad and impossible to miss.
In a Sentence: That grin on his face was as big as a barn door, stretching so wide it looked like it could open and let out sunshine.
Other Ways to Say: Wide-mouthed, Beaming
46. Big as a freight elevator
Meaning: Tall, deep, and industrial in size.
In a Sentence: That stack of boxes was as big as a freight elevator and probably just as heavy.
Other Ways to Say: Warehouse-sized, Built big
47. Big as a glacier
Meaning: Massive and slow-moving.
In a Sentence: His decision-making process was as big as a glacier—long, slow, and taking up a lot of mental space.
Other Ways to Say: Ice-cold and heavy, Icy huge
48. Big as a cloud
Meaning: Puffy and far-reaching.
In a Sentence: That pillow was as big as a cloud, swallowing my head the moment I lay down.
Other Ways to Say: Soft and massive, Dreamy-sized
49. Big as a flood
Meaning: Overflowing and powerful.
In a Sentence: The number of feelings that hit me after hearing the news was as big as a flood, rushing in all at once and filling my heart.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional overflow, Wave of feelings
50. Big as a black hole
Meaning: Endless and sucking everything in.
In a Sentence: My to-do list felt as big as a black hole, pulling in every minute of my day and still asking for more.
Other Ways to Say: All-consuming, Vast and dark
51. Big as a TV tower
Meaning: Tall and unmissable.
In a Sentence: The roller coaster was as big as a TV tower, soaring into the sky and making my stomach drop just looking at it.
Other Ways to Say: Sky-high, Eye-catching
52. Big as a roller rink
Meaning: Wide and smooth, often used for fun.
In a Sentence: That open floor space is as big as a roller rink, giving everyone plenty of room to dance and move freely.
Other Ways to Say: Open, Activity-sized
53. Big as a spaceship hangar
Meaning: Very large and futuristic.
In a Sentence: Their new garage is as big as a spaceship hangar, with high ceilings, sleek metal walls, and enough room to host a car show.
Other Ways to Say: Sci-fi large, Ultra-wide
54. Big as a water park
Meaning: Massive, sprawling, and exciting.
In a Sentence: The amusement park map looked as big as a water park, full of slides, paths, and attractions all over the place.
Other Ways to Say: Splashy, Family-sized fun
55. Big as the Great Wall
Meaning: Long, legendary, and massive.
In a Sentence: The line outside the new store was as big as the Great Wall, winding around corners and stretching down the street as if it never ended.
Other Ways to Say: Never-ending, Monumental
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks using the best simile for each sentence:
- That fish tank is as big as a _______, and it takes up the entire living room wall.
- His voice boomed through the room, as big as a _______ in a quiet library.
- My backpack felt as big as a _______ by the time I stuffed all my school supplies in it.
- Her excitement was as big as a _______, rising up and lighting her whole face.
- The pile of pillows was as big as a _______, soft and ready for a sleepover.
- That museum was as big as a _______, and we didn’t even see half of it.
- The wave at the beach was as big as a _______, crashing down like a wall of water.
- His dream of becoming an astronaut was as big as a _______, filled with stars and endless sky.
- The cake looked as big as a _______, with layers stacked higher than my head.
- The storm cloud above us was as big as a _______, stretching across the sky with thunder in its belly.
Suggested Answers
whale, freight train, refrigerator, moon, cloud, stadium, tidal wave, galaxy, parade float, blimp
Conclusion
Describing something as “big” doesn’t have to be boring. Similes give us a powerful way to express size with creativity and color. From being as big as a mountain to as big as the universe, these comparisons help us show not just how large something is—but how it feels to witness it. Try using some of these similes in your writing or everyday conversation, and you’ll see how much more vivid and fun your descriptions can be.