English Explanatory Dictionary

bigwig

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A person of importance in a group or organization.

Pronunciation

bĭgʹwĭg /ˈbɪɡ.wɪɡ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-bigwig.wav

Word forms

bigwig bigwigs big wig big-wig

Etymology

First arose in the 1730s, from big + wig. Formerly, English men of authority wore wigs. Bigwig plays on the idea that higher authority is denoted by a larger wig.

Synonyms

big cheese VIP baron big enchilada big gun big kahuna big man big name big noise big shot bigwig big wheel boss grand poobah head honcho heavy hitter heavyweight high muckamuck high muckety-muck king of all one surveys king of the castle king of the hill kingpin macher mayor muckamuck muckety muck mugwump numero uno panjandrum poobah rooster somebody top banana top boy top cat top dog top gun very important person wheel

Derived words

bigwiggery bigwigism
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