prodigious

pro·di·gious

adjective \prə-ˈdi-jəs\

Definition of PRODIGIOUS

1

a obsolete : being an omen : portentous

b : resembling or befitting a prodigy : strange, unusual (see prodigy)

2

: exciting amazement or wonder

3

: extraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree : enormous

— pro·di·gious·ly adverb

— pro·di·gious·ness noun

Examples of PRODIGIOUS

1. <stage magicians performing prodigious feats for rapt audiences>
2. <a prodigious supply of canned food kept in the basement for emergencies>
3. Graceful afield and afoot in his youth, he bullied into a prodigious slugger in his final years. —Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2003
4. She had what was known in those days as a hollow leg, meaning she was able to drink prodigious amounts of liquor without getting drunk, or so she thought. —Vanity Fair, July 2000
5. … Isaac [Newton] was allowed to resume at Grantham and go on to Cambridge, where … he was to remain for nearly thirty-five secluded, prodigious years. —John Updike, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 1998

Origin of PRODIGIOUS

(see prodigy)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PRODIGIOUS

Synonyms

amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, marvelous, staggering, stunning, stupendous, sublime, surprising, wonderful, wondrous

Antonyms

bantam, bitty, diminutive, infinitesimal, Lilliputian, little bitty, micro, microminiature, microscopic (also microscopical), midget, miniature, minuscule, minute, pocket, pygmy, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, wee

Related Words

incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable; extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, sensational, spectacular; singular, uncommon, unique, unusual, unwonted; conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, remarkable; impressive, smashing, striking; mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling; animating, energizing, enlightening, enlivening, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, stimulating; alluring, attracting, attractive, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, enchanting, entertaining, enthralling, fascinating, interesting

Near Antonyms

unimpressive, uninspiring, unremarkable; boring, dull, jading, monotonous, tedious, tiring, uninspired, uninteresting, wearisome, weary, wearying; common, customary, mundane, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, usual; draining, enervating, exhausting, fatiguing, wearing; debilitating, enfeebling; demoralizing, discouraging, disheartening, dispiriting

See Synonym Discussion at monstrous

Rhymes with PRODIGIOUS

litigious, prestigious, religious