Enormous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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enormous

[ษชหˆnษ”หmษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

size

Extremely large in size or amount.

Synonyms

gigantic, huge, immense, massive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enormous

Use when describing something that is very large in size, quantity, or extent. It is often used to express a sense of awe or surprise.

  • The project was an enormous success.
  • She received an enormous amount of support.
huge

Best used when talking about something very large or extensive. It is widely used in both formal and informal settings.

  • They made a huge cake for the party.
  • The company faced a huge challenge.
gigantic

Appropriate for describing things that are extremely large, often to the point of being difficult to believe. It can give a sense of something beyond the typical scale.

  • They built a gigantic statue in the town square.
  • The storm created waves of gigantic proportions.
massive

This word is used to emphasize the large scale or weight of something. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation when describing burdens or obstacles.

  • The construction project was a massive undertaking.
  • There was a massive delay in the schedule.
immense

Describes something of a massive size or degree. Often used to express something so large that it feels overwhelming or nearly infinite.

  • The universe is an immense place.
  • He has immense potential in his field.

Examples of usage

  • It took an enormous effort to complete the project on time.
  • The elephant was enormous, towering over the other animals in the zoo.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In movies, enormous creatures like King Kong or dinosaurs often symbolize danger or the unknown.
  • The 'Enormous' movies, like 'Enormous Wolfhound', explore themes of size and how it affects relationships.

Science

  • Astronomically, enormous can refer to celestial bodies like planets and stars, where sizes can be billions of kilometers across.
  • In biology, some animals and plants are classified as enormous, like the Blue Whale, which is the largest animal on Earth.

Literature

  • Many childrenโ€™s stories feature enormous characters, like the Giant in 'Jack and the Beanstalk', representing strength and fear.
  • Authors often use 'enormous' to create visual contrasts in poems or narratives, amplifying the impact of their descriptions.

Psychology

  • The perception of something as enormous can invoke feelings of awe or fear, affecting our emotional responses.
  • Cognitive studies suggest that size perception can influence decision-making, as we might associate larger items with higher value.

Origin of 'enormous'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'enormis' which means abnormal or out of the norm, combining 'e-' (out of) and 'norma' (rule).
  • In the 14th century, it was used to describe something that was extraordinary or remarkable, signifying more than just size.

The word 'enormous' originated from the Latin word 'enormis', which means 'irregular' or 'monstrous'. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to describe something extremely large or huge. The term has been in use in the English language since the late 16th century.


See also: norm, normal, normlessness, norms.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,926, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.