tremendous

1 of 2

adjective

tre·​men·​dous tri-ˈmen-dəs 

1

a

: notable by reason of extreme size, power, greatness, or excellence

tremendous problems

a writer of tremendous talent

—often used as a generalized term of approval

had a tremendous time

b

: unusually large : huge

a tremendous number of people

2

: being such as may excite trembling or arouse dread, awe, or terror

tremendousness noun

tremendousness

2 of 2

noun

tre·​men·​dous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being tremendous

Synonyms of tremendous

Adjective

• huge
• enormous
• vast
• gigantic
• massive
• immense
• giant
• colossal
• monumental
• astronomical
• mammoth

Choose the Right Synonym for tremendous

monstrous, prodigious, tremendous, stupendous mean extremely impressive.

monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

Examples of tremendous in a Sentence

Adjective

He has a tremendous amount of energy.

The engine's power is tremendous.

She is a writer of tremendous talent.

We had a tremendous time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That kind of mass results in a tremendous gravitational force that pushes in on the sun’s core to the tune of over 500 billion pounds per square inch. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

San Diego has devoted tremendous effort and resources to addressing homelessness, and many dedicated people work every day to help those in need. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

But May’s life and death provide a glimpse into the tremendous and tragic effect that legislation and political rhetoric have had on trans people across America — especially kids. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 July 2026

For patients already living with chronic disease, that relationship can make a tremendous difference. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin tremendus, from gerundive of tremere

First Known Use

Adjective

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tremendous

• horrendous
• stupendous
• rendus

Kids Definition

tremendous

adjective

tre·​men·​dous tri-ˈmen-dəs 

1

: causing dread, awe, or terror : dreadful

2

: astonishing because of great size, excellence, or power

tremendous problems

a writer of tremendous talent

tremendously adverb