vast

1 of 2

adjective

ˈvast 

: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range

vast knowledge

a vast expanse

vastness

ˈvas(t)-nəs 

noun

vast

2 of 2

noun

: a boundless space

the vast of heaven

—John Milton

Synonyms

Adjective

• astronomical
• astronomic
• Brobdingnagian
• bumper
• colossal
• cosmic
• cosmical
• cyclopean
• elephantine
• enormous
• 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
• vasty
• walloping
• whacking
• whopping

Choose the Right Synonym for vast

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 vast in a Sentence

Adjective

She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject.

The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens.

a vast expanse of land

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Panjabi finished his tenure in the White House in 2023, after working on the government’s action plan in response to Covid-19, which included coordinating a vast vaccination effort. —Julia Zorthian, TIME, 25 Apr. 2024

The vehicle covered 16,200 miles since leaving the factory, the vast majority of which seems to have been put on it by the queen and her husband, Prince Phillip. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024

This would give the FCC vast regulatory power over the internet. —Donald Kimball, National Review, 24 Apr. 2024

With his vast personal wealth and proven fundraising ability, McCormick is seen as Casey’s strongest Republican challenger yet. —Brianne Pfannenstiel, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

Supporters also contended that the legislation responded to the reality in more rural areas of the state, where vast counties and relatively small law enforcement agencies could hamper a swift response. —Rick Rojas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Inshore Tarpon Fishing Florida’s vast inshore fisheries offer abundant opportunities to fish for tarpon. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024

Reiners is a crypto skeptic who sees little use for alternative currency and finance options for the vast majority of Americans. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024

The design of a mall often comes packed with vast amounts of empty concrete—one or several large, low-slung buildings surrounded by sprawling parking lots. —Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin vāstus or vastus "devoid of habitation, desolate, dreary," also, "of great size, immense," probably in part continuing Indo-European *h₁u̯eh₂-sto- (whence Old High German wuosti "empty, deserted," Old English wēste, Old Irish fás), in part conflated with another base *wast- of uncertain origin

Noun

noun derivative of vast entry 1, perhaps by analogy with deep entry 1, deep entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vast

adjective

ˈvast

: very great in extent, size, amount, degree, or intensity

a vast stretch of desert

vast knowledge

vastly adverb

vastness

ˈvas(t)-nəs

noun