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 The answer to these questions is usually found to be yes, although the size of the relationship is often statistically small, which has led some researchers to conclude that these new technologies are not responsible for the gigantic increases in mental illness that began in the early 2010s. Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 And then there are the Cybertruck owners who added their own aesthetic touches to Tesla’s already ostentatious design, with winning flourishes like gigantic bullhorns on the truck’s hood, or spraypainted graffiti-style art. Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 With two gigantic blockbusters in the mix, will this year’s awards inch back over the twenty-million mark for the first time since 2020? The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 Unable to satisfy the public’s hunger for peace and normality, the regime has resorted to gigantic social expenditures and preferential treatment for the poor, turning Russia into Putin’s Barbieland. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 Vibrant glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly nestle into the woods surrounding the building, while Maman, a gigantic spider by Louise Bourgeois, forms a dramatic archway. Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Preparing for these trials and dealing with the civil lawsuits against him, it's been a gigantic time suck for him. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 That site, which has been significantly revamped since San Diego State University took it over, has also since lost one of its most appealing characteristics to high-speed rail planners: a gigantic parking lot. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 The description of what is housed inside the 78,000-square-foot building takes up a lot less space than the gigantic gyms and rooms themselves. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024

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 28 Mar. 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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