English Language Learners Definition of bigwig
: a powerful or important person.
What does the term bigwig mean?
A bigwig is a very important person — in fact, you might call her a VIP. ... A government bigwig is a person with a good deal of power and influence, and a corporate bigwig might own an enormous company. This word dates from the 18th century, when powerful, distinguished men tended to wear large, impressive wigs.
Is bigwig an insult?
Word forms: bigwigs
If you refer to an important person as a bigwig, you are being somewhat disrespectful.
