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colossal

American  

[kuh-los-uhl] / kəˈlɒs əl /

adjective

1. 

   extraordinarily great in size, extent, or degree; gigantic; huge.

2. of or resembling a colossus.

3. (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a classical order whose columns or pilasters span two or more stories of a building.

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colossal British  

/ kəˈlɒsəl /

adjective

1. of immense size; huge; gigantic

2. (in figure sculpture) approximately twice life-size Compare heroic

3. Also: giant. architect of or relating to the order of columns and pilasters that extend more than one storey in a façade

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Usage

What does colossal mean? Colossal describes something as being very large in size, degree, or amount, as in I went to a colossal shopping mall that stretched for a mile. If something is colossal, it is enormous, gigantic, or massive. Colossal can also be used to describe a large degree of something, that is, a large amount or a large extent, like a colossal amount of boxes or a colossal advantage in the playoffs. Less commonly, colossal describes something as resembling a colossus, which is a very large statue, as in The large man was so colossal that he blocked the entire doorway. Example: Tyrannosaurus rex was a colossal dinosaur that towered over many of the smaller animals.

Synonym Usage

See gigantic.

Other Word Forms

• colossality
  noun
• supercolossal
  adjective
• colossally
  adverb
• supercolossally
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of colossal

First recorded in 1705–15; coloss(us) + -al ¹

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Explanation

Colossal describes something so large it makes you say, "Whoa!" You might have a colossal amount of homework, or see a colossal pyramid while vacationing in Egypt. Colossal can refer to an item's physical size, like a giant redwood tree, but it can also be used to describe the force or scope of something — like the colossal force of a thunderstorm that knocked down the redwood tree, or the colossal scope of your school project on the history of the redwoods that seems like it will never, ever end. It comes from the Greek word kolossos, meaning "gigantic statue."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colossal

By revealing how fresh magma accumulates beneath a volcano responsible for one of Earth's most extraordinary eruptions, the research brings scientists closer to understanding the processes that eventually make such colossal events possible.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

Since June's record highs, traders have been questioning elevated valuations and when companies would see returns -- if any -- on the colossal sums they have spent to get ahead in the artificial intelligence race.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

The first T20 is at the colossal Melbourne Cricket Ground on 21 November.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Scientists think one of the most important events in the early solar system was a colossal collision between the young Earth and a Mars-sized body known as Theia.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Through sheer, savage will, Minya poured even her life force into the colossal expenditure of magic necessary to hold on to her ghosts and keep her charges safe—and not just safe but loved.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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Related Words

• enormous
• gargantuan
• gigantic
• huge
• immense
• jumbo
• mammoth
• monstrous
• vast

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