colossal

adjective

co·​los·​sal kə-ˈlä-səl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
colossal statues
2
: of a bulk, extent, power, or effect approaching or suggesting the stupendous or incredible
colossal rock formations
colossal stellar explosions
3
: of an exceptional or astonishing degree
a colossal failure
a colossal bore
colossal ambition
colossally adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for colossal

enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large.

enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

Examples of colossal in a Sentence

a colossal statue of the town's founder
Recent Examples on the Web Everyone is hopelessly mixed up in everyone else’s life, which would be messy but basically unremarkable if not for the colossal sums of money involved. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 In The Likeness, for instance, French was pitting moneyed college students living in a colossal Georgian house against a crumbling village. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 Many great books have been written about the subject (not to mention Christopher Nolan’s colossal film); in effect, he was punished for his opposition to the H-bomb, probably his arrogance and naivete as well. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 No studio is better poised to absorb colossal budgets than Apple. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 The agency published the results of the colossal data-gathering effort last month. The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 The colossal confection provided the perfect centerpiece for the couple's lavish reception, held in a ballroom at the Savoy in London. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Female leaders play a colossal role in shaping a workforce that supports gender equality and nurtures and empowers women. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 It’s loaded with many celestial jewels, such as the red super-giant star Betelgeuse, the bright belt stars, the colossal Orion Nebula, the birthplace of countless stars and planets, and so much more. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'colossal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see colossus

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of colossal was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near colossal

Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colossal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

colossal

adjective
co·​los·​sal kə-ˈläs-əl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
especially : of very great size
a colossal office building
2
: extraordinary, exceptional
colossal growth
a colossal failure
colossally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on colossal

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