jumbo

American  

[juhm-boh] / ˈdʒʌm boʊ /

noun

plural

jumbos

1. a very large person, animal, or thing.

2. jumbo jet.

3. U.S. Nautical.

   1. a forestaysail having a boom jumbo 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.

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adjective

1. very large.

   the jumbo box of cereal.

jumbo British  

/ ˈdʒʌmbəʊ /

noun

1. informal

   1. a very large person or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a jumbo box of detergent

2. See jumbo jet

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Etymology

Origin of jumbo

First recorded in 1800–10; origin uncertain; popularized as the name of a large elephant purchased and exhibited by P.T. Barnum in 1882

Example Sentences

The average number of tranches on investment-grade bond deals is at a record high as companies issue jumbo deals and look for cost savings.

From The Wall Street Journal

A qualified pilot, Ghalibaf is known for boasting that he is able to captain jumbo jets.

From Barron's

To make their jumbo deals palatable to the most possible investors, big companies are splitting up their deals into more pieces than ever before.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Project Hail Mary” is wholesome science fiction that satisfies like a jumbo serving of apple pie and milk.

From Los Angeles Times

Since, financial dealings with the Gulf have only grown, such as a planned Disneyland theme park in Abu Dhabi and the donation of a jumbo jet from Qatar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• colossal
• oversized