Main Entry: ¹mon·strous

Pronunciation: \ˈmän(t)-strəs\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 obsolete : strange, unnatural
2 : having extraordinary often overwhelming size : gigantic
3 a : having the qualities or appearance of a monster b obsolete : teeming with monsters
4 a : extraordinarily ugly or vicious : horrible b : shockingly wrong or ridiculous
5 : deviating greatly from the natural form or character : abnormal
6 : very great —used as an intensive

— mon·strous·ly adverb

— mon·strous·ness noun

synonyms monstrous, prodigious, tremendous, stupendous mean extremely impressive. monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness <the monstrous waste of the project>. prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size) <made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside>. tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe <the tremendous roar of the cataract>. stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description <a stupendous volcanic eruption>.