enormous

adjective

enor·​mous i-ˈnȯr-məs 

ē-

1

: marked by extraordinarily great size, number, or degree

especially : exceeding usual bounds or accepted notions

2

a

: exceedingly wicked : shocking

an enormous sin

b

archaic : abnormal, inordinate

enormousness noun

Synonyms

• astronomical
• astronomic
• Brobdingnagian
• bumper
• colossal
• cosmic
• cosmical
• cyclopean
• elephantine
• galactic
• gargantuan
• giant
• gigantesque
• gigantic
• grand
• herculean
• heroic
• heroical
• Himalayan
• huge
• humongous
• humungous
• immense
• jumbo
• king-size
• king-sized
• leviathan
• mammoth
• massive
• mega
• mighty
• monster
• monstrous
• monumental
• mountainous
• oceanic
• pharaonic
• planetary
• prodigious
• super
• super-duper
• supersize
• supersized
• titanic
• tremendous
• vast
• vasty
• walloping
• whacking
• whopping

Choose the Right Synonym for enormous

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 enormous in a Sentence

They live in an enormous house.

We chose not to undertake the project because of the enormous costs involved.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another development with enormous potential is the merger of NFTs with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). —William Mullane, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Apr. 2024

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat takes on the enormous task of teaching the basic, deep knowledge that cooking requires. —Marian Bull, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024

An enormous ranch that lives up to its mystical name has landed on the real estate market in New Mexico. —Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024

Many are drawn to the area's scenic outdoor activities, as Sedona is surrounded by pine forests and trails along its outskirts wind through enormous red rock buttes and canyons. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024

This idea that an orchestra and conductor had such a degree of communication was one of my most enormous lessons in conducting, full stop — that this was even possible. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024

The company in 2011 separated its DVD and streaming offerings, charging customers for each, creating an enormous backlash. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after it was hit by an enormous container ship called the Dali. —Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

Although the price tag to help Ukraine seems enormous, the amount of money is small in comparison with what America spends on its own defense—and provides an incalculable investment in U.S. national security. —Mariia Hlyten, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin enormis, from e, ex out of + norma rule

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Kids Definition

enormous

adjective

enor·​mous i-ˈnȯr-məs 

: extraordinarily great in size, number, or degree

enormously adverb

enormousness noun