LARGE in sign language

How to sign "large" in American Sign Language (ASL)?

ASL signs for LARGE

These are two general variations (not always interchangeable). Note that we Deaf native signers may modify the ASL signs/words to convey variants of the meaning, such as "very large", etc.

Definition: of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.

Pronunciation (sign description): Two horizontal "clawed-L" hands facing each other in space diverge apart.

Context / usage examples: "a house with a large kitchen", "considered a medium-large dog", "small or large? (also sometimes BIG).

Pronunciation (sign description): Two horizontal "clawed-L" hands facing each other in space diverge apart in an arc motion.

Context / usage examples: "Do you have a larger size?" (glossed in ASL as "HAVE LARGE-arc SIZE, YOU/\"), "considered a large-sized breed".

Beyond basics

There are many ways of signing this concept using classifiers and/or other words some in combinations with mouth morphemes and inflections, depending on what subjects/objects are.

Mouthing "CHA" in some contexts, such as "very large".

Context / usage examples: "a large man", "a very large Doberman".

Vocabulary

Synonyms: BIG, GREAT, ENORMOUS, HUGE, MASSIVE, GIANT, GIGANTIC, TREMENDOUS, SUPER-SIZED.

Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

ASL written for VERY-LARGE

Written ASL digit for "VERY-LARGE" contributed by the ASLwrite community, 2018.

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