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Gargantuan Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gargantuan

[ษกษ‘หrหˆษกรฆn.tสƒu.ษ™n ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

size or scale

The term 'gargantuan' refers to something of immense size or volume. It is often used to emphasize the enormousness of an object, entity, or concept. Gargantuan can describe anything from a physical object to abstract notions, such as challenges or appetites. The word evokes a sense of grandeur and often suggests that the subject in question is overwhelmingly large, often beyond normal proportions.

Synonyms

colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, massive.

Examples of usage

  • The gargantuan mountain towered over the valley.
  • She had a gargantuan appetite for adventure.
  • The company faced a gargantuan challenge in meeting the new regulations.

Translations

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Origin of 'gargantuan'

The word 'gargantuan' is derived from the name of a giant character in the 16th-century novel 'Gargantua and Pantagruel' by French writer Franรงois Rabelais. The protagonist, Gargantua, was depicted as a giant with a voracious appetite and immense size. The novel, which blends comedy and satire, introduces themes of humanism and the absurdity of societal norms. The name itself is thought to be related to the Latin word 'gargantua,' which could be linked to 'gurgulio,' meaning 'gullet' or 'throat,' highlighting the character's insatiable hunger. Over time, 'gargantuan' entered the English language, maintaining its connotation of something extraordinarily large, transcending its initial literary context to describe a range of things from physical objects to ideas.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,754, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.