enormous

[ ih-nawr-muhs ]

adjective

1. greatly exceeding the common size, extent, etc.; huge; immense:

   an enormous fortune.

   Synonyms: stupendous, prodigious, mammoth, gigantic, colossal, vast

2. outrageous or atrocious:

   enormous wickedness; enormous crimes.

enormous

/ ɪˈnɔːməs /

adjective

1. unusually large in size, extent, or degree; immense; vast
2. archaic.
   extremely wicked; heinous

Derived Forms

• eˈnormousness, noun
• eˈnormously, adverb

Other Words From

• e·normous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of enormous¹

First recorded in 1525–35; enorm + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of enormous¹

C16: from Latin ēnormis, from ē- out of, away from + norma rule, pattern

Synonym Study

See huge.

Example Sentences

Speaking in the Commons, Farage said the UK would find "outright hostility" to the deal among the next US administration, adding it had been an "enormous mistake" to sign up to it before last week's presidential election.

From BBC

"It's such an enormous waste."

From BBC

"Though we got off to a rocky start, as I came to know and feel him I saw his enormous potential and sensitivity as an artist and as a human being," Quincy Jones wrote.

From BBC

I’m grateful to East West Players not only for the enormous care lavished on the staging, but also for the boldness of its approach.

From Los Angeles Times

“Pacific Overtures” covers enormous ground, but at the center are two characters whose fates reflect their nation’s travails.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behemothic
• colossal
• excessive
• gargantuan
• gigantic
• huge
• humongous
• immense
• mammoth
• massive
• monstrous
• prodigious
• tremendous
• vast