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

But that enormous level of cultural impact is precisely what makes a film adaptation of “Wicked” a dicey decision.

From Salon

Now, Israeli authorities see the Negev as an enormous opportunity for large-scale afforestation.

From Salon

Cricket's Indian Premier League is an example of a freshly created franchise tournament that changed the nature of the sport forever; but this took place in India, an enormous market already obsessed with cricket.

From BBC

But even if a US administration was able to legally move ahead with these plans, authorities would still have to contend with enormous logistical challenges.

From BBC

TV presenter Davina McCall is out of intensive care and has made an "enormous leap forward" in the last 24 hours, following her surgery to remove a rare brain tumour.

From BBC

Related Words

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