tremendous

[ trih-men-duhs ]

adjective

1. extraordinarily great in size, amount, or intensity:

   a tremendous ocean liner; tremendous talent.

2. extraordinary in excellence:

   a tremendous movie.

3. dreadful or awful, as in character or effect; exciting fear; frightening; terrifying.

tremendous

/ trɪˈmɛndəs /

adjective

1. vast; huge
2. informal.
   very exciting or unusual
3. informal.
   (intensifier)

   a tremendous help

4. archaic.
   terrible or dreadful

Derived Forms

• treˈmendousness, noun
• treˈmendously, adverb

Other Words From

• tre·men·dous·ly adverb
• tre·men·dous·ness noun
• un·tre·men·dous adjective
• un·tre·men·dous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremendous¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin tremendus “dreadful, to be shaken by,” equivalent to trem(ere) “to shake, quake” + -endus gerund suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremendous¹

C17: from Latin tremendus terrible, literally: that is to be trembled at, from tremere to quake

Synonym Study

See huge.

Example Sentences

“If we bring everyone on the planet into an American lifestyle,” he said, “there first off might not be much planet left, and at the very least, the kind of degradation that might entail would be tremendous and horrifying.”

From Salon

Although we think of these repatriation drives as federally driven, they were largely enacted by local officials, a stark reminder that local governments have tremendous power to harm — but also to resist.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” real estate analyst Jesse Gundersheim said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie ... on the job you did,” Trump said.

From Los Angeles Times

The problem is that when tidal waves recede they leave a tremendous amount of damage in their wake and I'm afraid it's going to be especially devastating in America.

From Salon

Related Words

• amazing
• astounding
• awesome
• colossal
• dreadful
• enormous
• excellent
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• fabulous
• fantastic
• formidable
• great
• immense
• incredible
• marvelous
• massive
• monumental
• prodigious
• terrible