vast

[vast]

adjective

vaster, vastest 

1. of very great area or extent; immense.

   the vast reaches of outer space.

   Synonyms: stupendous, colossal, gigantic, boundless, measureless
   Antonyms: small

2. of very great size or proportions; huge; enormous.

   vast piles of rubble left in the wake of the war.

3. very great in number, quantity, amount, etc..

   vast sums of money.

4. very great in degree, intensity, etc..

   an artisan of vast skill.

noun

1. Literary.,  an immense or boundless expanse or space.

vast

/ vɑːst /

adjective

1. unusually large in size, extent, degree, or number; immense

2. (prenominal) (intensifier)

   in vast haste

noun

1. poetic,  immense or boundless space

2. dialect,  a very great amount or number

Other Word Forms

• vastly adverb
• vastness noun
• supervast adjective
• vastity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vast¹

First recorded in 1565–75, from Latin vastus “empty, immense”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vast¹

C16: from Latin vastus deserted

Example Sentences

Two thirds of them also gave us data on the ages and genders of children involved - and those figures revealed that almost 80% of offences were carried out by boys, the vast majority teenagers.

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This decision is going to delight the vast majority of Watford fans.

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Even in industries with unions and automation safeguards, the disparity between employers and employees only grows more vast, and there are far fewer jobs than people who are looking for work.

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Mr Turbeest acknowledged that offering wider relief would be impractical, given the vast number of businesses affected.

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The country shares the vast majority of its land border with India.

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Related Words

• ample 
• big 
• boundless 
• broad 
• colossal 
• endless 
• enormous 
• extensive 
• far-flung 
• far-reaching 
• gigantic 
• great 
• huge 
• immense 
• infinite 
• limitless 
• mammoth 
• massive 
• monumental 
• spacious