monumental
Americanadjective
-
like a monument, esp in large size, endurance, or importance
a monumental work of art
-
of, relating to, or being a monument
-
informal (intensifier)
monumental stupidity
Other Word Forms
- monumentalism noun
- monumentality noun
- monumentally adverb
- premonumental adjective
- unmonumental adjective
Etymology
Origin of monumental
From the Late Latin word monumentālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See monument, -al 1
Explanation
Whether it's a monumental effort requiring vast amounts of strength or a monumental cruise ship with eleven floors and five sets of elevators, the word monumental describes something imposing or massive in size. Monumental can also refer to something that's of outstanding importance or significance. A monumental decision for you would be one that changes your life — like the day you got engaged or when you decided to move to New York to be an actor. The word monumental can also be used if you're talking about a monument, a statue or structure commemorating a person or event. You might admire the monumental stonework on the statue in the town square.
Vocabulary lists containing monumental
The Maze Runner
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Stargirl
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Living Large: Synonyms for "Big"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many cybersecurity professionals believe the AI bug armageddon could play out along similar lines, but successfully patching thousands of vulnerabilities in all kinds of software will take a monumental effort, they say.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Pep Guardiola's side, looking to claw back the deficit, can increase the pressure when they host the leaders in a monumental fixture at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 19 April.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Instead, they mounted a monumental run that evoked widespread cultural celebration and praise, one Grammy win, and a nomination in the “Album of the Year” category.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
The Portuguese design genius for mixing the pious with playfully overelaborated touches reaches its apotheosis at this Unesco World Heritage site—Portugal’s equivalent of France’s monumental Cathedral of Chartres.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
I wondered if he knew that something monumental was about to happen.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
