jumbo

[juhm-boh]

noun

plural

jumbos 

1. a very large person, animal, or thing.

2. jumbo jet.

3. U.S. Nautical.

   1. a forestaysail having a boom jumbo boom along its foot, used especially on schooners.

   2. a sail used in place of a course on a square-rigged ship, having the form of an isosceles triangle set apex downward.

   3. a narrow triangular sail set point downward in place of a foresail on a topsail schooner.

adjective

1. very large.

   the jumbo box of cereal.

jumbo

/ ˈdʒʌmbəʊ /

noun

1. informal

   1. a very large person or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a jumbo box of detergent

2. See jumbo jet

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumbo¹

First recorded in 1800–10; origin uncertain; popularized as the name of a large elephant purchased and exhibited by P.T. Barnum in 1882

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumbo¹

C19: after the name of a famous elephant exhibited by P. T. Barnum, from Swahili jumbe chief

Example Sentences

“It’s not the America I was raised in,” said Wolf as she watched the Cubs on a jumbo screen TV outside the ballpark.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Party insiders like to describe Reform's rapid expansion - while ensuring candidates are properly vetted - as being like assembling a jumbo jet while flying it.

Read more on BBC

Fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock, listed at 296 pounds, adds unique versatility as a backfield blocker or extra lineman in jumbo sets.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It shows a man and a woman, who were identified by US media as the co-workers, embracing on a jumbo screen at the arena before they abruptly ducked and hid.

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Last week, Bondi declared that, under the Foreign Emoluments Clause, Trump can legally accept a “flying palace 747 jumbo jet” as a gift from Qatar, a country that has directly funded Hamas terrorism.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• colossal 
• oversized www.thesaurus.com