jumbo

[ juhm-boh ]

noun

, plural jum·bos.

1. a very large person, animal, or thing.
2. jumbo jet.
3. U.S. Nautical.
   1. a forestaysail having a boom jum·bo boom along its foot, used especially on schooners.
   2. a sail used in place of a course on a square-rigged ship, having the form of an isosceles triangle set apex downward.
   3. a narrow triangular sail set point downward in place of a foresail on a topsail schooner.

adjective

1. very large:

   the jumbo box of cereal.

jumbo

/ ˈdʒʌmbəʊ /

noun

1. informal.
   1. a very large person or thing
   2. ( as modifier )

      a jumbo box of detergent

2. See jumbo jet

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumbo¹

First recorded in 1800–10; origin uncertain; popularized as the name of a large elephant purchased and exhibited by P.T. Barnum in 1882

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumbo¹

C19: after the name of a famous elephant exhibited by P. T. Barnum, from Swahili jumbe chief

Example Sentences

The first lottery-style jumbo cheque was handed out to a surprised attendee at a town hall event in Pennsylvania on 19 October.

From BBC

A typical day for Mr Head starts with a healthy breakfast of jumbo oats and wheatgerm, mixed with chai seeds.

From BBC

I anticipate that the most heroic seeming of these photos will be on the jumbo screens at the convention so the mythology of Trump the superman will again be on national TV.

From Salon

And Zuckerman Family Farms in Stockton still produces some asparagus but stopped selling its prized jumbo spears at farmers markets in Los Angeles more than a decade ago, Roscoe Zuckerman said.

From Los Angeles Times

No one expects electric planes to replace large jumbo jets, but most companies working on electric airplanes expect batteries to become lighter, cheaper, and more powerful in the next few years.

From NewsForKids.net

Related Words

• colossal
• oversized