Definition of IMMENSE

Choose the Right Synonym for immense

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

Did You Know?

Just how big is something if it is immense? Huge? Colossal? Humongous? Ginormous? Or merely enormous? "Immense" is often used as a synonym of all of the above and, as such, can simply function as yet another way for English speakers to say "really, really, really big." "Immense" is also used, however, in a sense which goes beyond merely really, really, really big to describe something that is so great in size or degree that it transcends ordinary means of measurement. This sense harks back to the original sense of "immense" as something which is so tremendously big that it has not or cannot be measured. This sense reflects the word's roots in the Latin immensus, from "in-" ("un-") and "mensus," the past participle of "metiri" ("to measure").

Examples of immense in a Sentence

He inherited an immense fortune. She is an artist of immense talent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Blessed with immense talent, France doesn't seem to have broken much of a sweat in cruising to the semifinals. — Steven Goff, chicagotribune.com, "'Hard-working, compact, united and well-organized': The World Cup's surprising final four," 8 July 2018 But even when Bell was out of the rotation, few doubted his immense potential. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Jordan Bell: How Warriors center handled up-and-down rookie season," 30 June 2018 Which means my dad dominating a child with the immense size of his body, and turning what should be play into something sadistic. — Brian Gresko, Longreads, "Wrestling With My Father," 12 June 2018 An aerial view of the farm by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows the immense size of grow operation discovered roughly 70 miles south of Dallas. — Fernando Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "Texas police bust major grow operation south of Dallas," 12 June 2018 Despite its immense size, the modern reef is also surprisingly young. — National Geographic, "6 Amazing Structures Built by Surprising Creatures," 7 May 2018 As are their stunning costumes — all praise to Catherine Zuber — and the magnificent changing sets, designed with all the immense size of Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont stage in mind. — Toby Zinman, Philly.com, "What a Broadway weekend!: 'St. Joan' and 'My Fair Lady'!," 27 Apr. 2018 The focal point of the store, though, is an immense, specially commissioned Daniel Silver sculpture that stands at the center of the boutique. — Adam Tschorn, latimes.com, "Acne Studios' second SoCal store opens in West Hollywood," 26 Mar. 2018 That task will be made more difficult by the immense size of Florida State's frontcourt, and their size up and down their roster, as Mack noted. — Patrick Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Florida State again blocking No. 1 Xavier basketball's path to NCAA Tournament Sweet 16," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.