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
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Adjective
The vast majority of people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide – 70% have no further attempts. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 Reveal Success Or Failure Predictors Businesses can harness AI to analyze vast quantities of unstructured data on customer engagement, projects and deliverables. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 New research shows the vast majority of people who try GLP-1 agonists for weight loss end up stopping them. Mara Gordon, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025 The vast volume of water is a vital resource for both countries, and the treaty governs how it is shared. Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vast. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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

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