mondo

¹

[ mon-doh ]

noun

, Zen.

, plural mon·dos.

1. a question to a student for which an immediate answer is demanded, the spontaneity of which is often illuminating.

mondo

²

adverb

1. very; extremely:

   mondo cool.

adjective

1. large; big:

   a mondo history paper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mondo¹

First recorded in 1925–30; from Japanese mondō, earlier mondau “rapid question and answer, catechesis between a rōshi (master) and student,” from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese wèn “inquire” + dá “reply”

Origin of mondo²

First recorded in 1965–70; from Italian mondo “world,” extracted from the film Mondo Cane ( “A Dog's World” ) (1962) and reinterpreted as an adverb in Italian or pseudo-Italian phrases such as mondo bizarro “very bizarre,” literally, “bizarre world”

Example Sentences

Here, they planted a drought-resistant mix of California dune grass, mondo grass and poppies alongside the former owners’ birds of paradise, pink camellias and pineapple guava tree.

From Los Angeles Times

Global stars such as gymnast Simone Biles, tennis player Novak Djokovic and pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis lived up to their billing.

From Los Angeles Times

"They were chanting 'Mondo! Mondo!' because they just know this is the best they have ever seen."

From BBC

"You know when Mondo Duplantis is competing, you are always on world record watch," said four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson.

From BBC

In the era of Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis, gold in the men's pole vault appears a formality.

From BBC

Related Words

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