enormous

adjective

enor·​mous i-ˈnȯr-məs How to pronounce enormous (audio)
ē-
1
: marked by extraordinarily great size, number, or degree
especially : exceeding usual bounds or accepted notions
2
a
: exceedingly wicked : shocking
an enormous sin
b
archaic : abnormal, inordinate
enormousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for enormous

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 enormous in a Sentence

They live in an enormous house. We chose not to undertake the project because of the enormous costs involved.
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.
At the bottom was a chain-link fence with an enormous hole. Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024 Warren Buffett’s iconic investment and holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, is shedding its stake in Apple, bite by byte, and building an enormous cash pile — $325 billion at the moment. Peter Green, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024 Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Using their enormous power the voters have elected him the next US Senator from California. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enormous 

Word History

Etymology

Latin enormis, from e, ex out of + norma rule

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of enormous was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near enormous

Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enormous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

enormous

adjective
enor·​mous i-ˈnȯr-məs How to pronounce enormous (audio)
: extraordinarily great in size, number, or degree
enormously adverb
enormousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on enormous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!