Enormous Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/iˈmɔrəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Larger than is normal or usual; enormous refers to something that is truly vast, immense, or gigantic in size, scale, or quantity.

Examples

• The enormous castle stood tall and proud.
• The company’s enormous profits led to a significant increase in its market value.

Synonyms

• Massive
• Huge
• Immense

Antonyms

• Small
• Miniature
• Trivial

Additional Information

Enormous is often used to describe something that is enormous in a literal sense, such as a massive object or a vast quantity. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is enormous in its impact, influence, or importance.

While enormous is often used interchangeably with massive and huge, there is a subtle difference between the three words. Enormous suggests a sense of awe or wonder at the size or scale of something, whereas massive and huge can be used to describe something that is simply large or enormous without necessarily being impressive or remarkable.

Etymology

The word enormous comes from the Latin word “enormis,” meaning “unusual” or “unnatural.” This word is derived from the prefix “en-” meaning “in” or “on” and the word “norma,” meaning “custom” or “standard.” In English, enormous has been used since the 15th century to describe something that is unusually large or impressive.

Usage Notes

When using enormous, it is important to distinguish between its literal and metaphorical meanings. For example, one might say “The enormous mountain rose above the valley” to describe a literal enormous object, whereas “The enormous impact of the company’s decision on the market” would use enormous metaphorically to describe its significant influence.

Cultural References

The word enormous has appeared in various forms of media, including literature, music, and film. For example, in the book “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift, the protagonist encounters enormous giants on the island of Brobdingnag.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• A big enormous deal: used to describe something that is considered significant or important.

Related Words or Phrases

• Large
• Huge
• Massive
• Imposing

Collocations

• Enormous size
• Enormous quantity
• Enormous impact

Frequency of Use

Enormous is a relatively common word in modern English, with a frequency of use that is similar to its synonyms.

Common Misspellings

• Enourmous
• Enormus
• Enormeous