immense

[ ih-mens ]

adjective

1. vast; huge; very great:

   an immense territory.

   Synonyms: extensive

2. immeasurable; boundless.
3. Informal. splendid:

   You did an immense job getting the project started.

immense

/ ɪˈmɛns /

adjective

1. unusually large; huge; vast
2. without limits; immeasurable
3. informal.
   very good; excellent

Derived Forms

• imˈmensely, adverb
• imˈmenseness, noun

Other Words From

• im·mense·ly adverb
• im·mense·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immense¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin immēnsus “huge, boundless, immeasurable,” equivalent to im- “un-” + mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī “to measure”; im- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of immense¹

C15: from Latin immensus, literally: unmeasured, from im- (not) + mensus measured, from mētīrī to measure

Synonym Study

See huge.

Example Sentences

This 'disciplining' can be implemented by taking steps to eliminate subsidies and tax benefits for fossil fuels, mandating active phase-out requirements, tightening CO2 taxes, and redirecting financing away from new fossil-based projects, which remains immense.

From Science Daily

“Everyone in Brazil knows SciELO, so the exposure was immense,” he recalls.

From Science Magazine

Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards praises an "immense" performance from Mohamed Salah and says Liverpool "must keep" the Egypt forward.

From BBC

However, this situation is not without immense risks for her too.

From BBC

The government now says the justice system is under "immense pressure" but it will protect support for victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse.

From BBC

Related Words

• boundless
• colossal
• endless
• enormous
• extensive
• gigantic
• great
• huge
• immeasurable
• infinite
• limitless
• mammoth
• massive
• monstrous
• monumental
• prodigious
• tremendous
• vast