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

"Finding breaks in DNA is an enormous challenge," explains first author Kim de Luca.

From Science Daily

Russia launched an enormous ballistic missile strike on Dnipro overnight too.

From BBC

“Of course there was enormous pressure, and of course, it has consequences,” he said.

From BBC

“I've met some of these aging and some ailing nuclear test veterans and I have just enormous respect for the campaign that they've run and share their frustrated anguish,” he said.

From BBC

Mr. Adani himself also ventured back into public view, posing with Eric Garcetti, the U.S. ambassador to India, who visited an enormous Adani solar project this summer.

From New York Times

Related Words

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