vast

1 of 2

adjective

: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range
vast knowledge
a vast expanse
vastness noun

vast

2 of 2

noun

: a boundless space
the vast of heavenJohn Milton
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Thousands of costumes are kept in a vast warehouse in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024 But Berg’s true-to-history herringbone blazer and black mock-neck shirt also depicts the vast polarization between the ideals, values, and motivations of Berg and The Order, which brutally murdered the DJ in 1984. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024 The vast majority of institutions that closed between 1996 and 2023 were two-year schools in the for-profit sector that had small enrollments and were highly dependent on tuition as their single source of revenue to fund their operations. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 The Film AlUla shorts germinated from the AlUla Creates program at Film AlUla, the film commission for the swathe of northwest Saudi Arabia roughly the size of Belgium that also comprises a lush oasis and vast sandstone canyons. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vast 

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

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

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vast was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near vast

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vast. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on vast

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