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

The wine and winegrape industries are billion-dollar enterprises in California, and the state produces the vast majority of American wine. — Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Attorneys involved in the case have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the vast majority of claims are valid. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

The Scottish lawyer was one of the smartest, most formidable specialists in the luxury business, with a reputation that carried internationally and a vast roll call of clients. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, 26 June 2026

The vast majority that day was dressed in Ecuador’s canary yellow. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 June 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