Bigwig

Alternative forms

• big wig, big-wig

Origin

big + wig

English people used to wear wigs which denote their position in the government. The size of the wig varies with the position and the one with higher position will have a bigger wig.

Full definition of bigwig

Noun

1. (jocose) A person of importance to a group or organizationThe company bigwig is gathering his staff together for a meeting today.

Synonyms

• big cheese, big enchilada, big kahuna, big wheel, grand poobah, head honcho, kingpin, muckety muck, top banana, top dog