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

She asked about “all the mumbo jumbo” — the transmission information — at the top of the document; I was more interested in the content: records from the 1930s that detailed a shameful chapter in Los Angeles history — repatriation campaigns that targeted Mexican and Mexican American families.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that Jumbo, now renamed Trooper in honour of the Highway Patrol officer who rescued him, would be adopted.

From BBC

He reportedly told investigators that he had abandoned the animal, originally called Jumbo, because he was leaving Florida due to the storm and could not find anyone to look after him.

From BBC

The South African is 6ft 8in tall, weighs in at nearly 22st and is jumbo in all dimensions.

From BBC

Related Words

• colossal
• oversized