gigantic

adjective

gi·​gan·​tic jī-ˈgan-tik How to pronounce gigantic (audio)
jə-
: exceeding the usual or expected (as in size, force, or prominence)
gigantically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for gigantic

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 gigantic in a Sentence

a raccoon got into the trash and now there's a gigantic mess in our backyard
Recent Examples on the Web At the center of the exhibition is a gigantic sculpture in the shape of a pink heart that represents a heart that beats forever. Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024 The lighting design was pure drama, streaming through the gigantic concrete beams of the building like it was being tapped straight from heaven. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024 New telescope images show a gigantic star casually blowing bubbles 75 times bigger than our Sun. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024 Both are experiments in light—the former considering how a profusion of illuminated rooms and cars had reshaped the Manhattan sky, the latter mulling how a gigantic boulder can turn a sunny landscape dark. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gigantic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gigantic.' 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

Greek gigantikos, from gigant-, gigas giant

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gigantic was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near gigantic

Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gigantic. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

gigantic

adjective
gi·​gan·​tic jī-ˈgant-ik How to pronounce gigantic (audio)
: being beyond the ordinary or expected (as in size, weight, or strength)

More from Merriam-Webster on gigantic

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