vast

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

: a boundless space

… the vast of heaven …

—John Milton

vastness

3 of 3

noun (2)

vast·​ness -s(t)nə̇s 

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being vast

2

: a vast expanse or region

watching the vastnesses of the mountains unfold

Synonyms of vast

Adjective

• huge
• enormous
• gigantic
• tremendous
• massive
• giant
• immense
• colossal
• mammoth
• monumental
• astronomical
• mountainous
• sizable

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

Israel launched a ground invasion following an extensive aerial bombardment of Hamas’s military infrastructure, including its vast network of subterranean tunnels. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Behind every live event is a vast, complex network of businesses spanning production, logistics, staging, technology and venue operations, many of them relatively small and specialized. — Davis Noell, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Madrid sits on an ancient migration route that has always been part of a vast grid of farming paths covering the Iberian Peninsula. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Downstream, residents of the vast Navajo Nation braced for floodwaters not expected to peak until late Friday or early Saturday. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

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 (1)

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 (1)

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vast

• bast
• blast
• cast
• caste
• classed
• clast
• fast
• gassed
• gast
• glassed
• grassed
• hast

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