considerable
Americanadjective
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rather large or great in size, distance, extent, etc..
It cost a considerable amount. We took a considerable length of time to decide.
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worthy of respect, attention, etc.; important; distinguished.
a considerable person.
noun
adverb
adjective
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large enough to reckon with
a considerable quantity
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a lot of; much
he had considerable courage
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worthy of respect
a considerable man in the scientific world
Other Word Forms
- considerably adverb
- unconsiderable adjective
- unconsiderably adverb
Etymology
Origin of considerable
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin consīderābilis, from consīderā(re) “to examine” ( consider ) + -bilis -ble
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Past conflicts—due largely to a considerable lag between U.S. doctrine and technology—began with the outermost defensive ring and painfully worked toward the innermost ring of the capital, he wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Thomas’ ideas have gained considerable support throughout the lower courts in recent years.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
Iran said it had targeted a US logistics vessel "at a considerable distance from the port".
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
Overall, the risk that policy uncertainty poses to near-retirees and retirees seems substantial, imposing considerable costs on households as they take precautionary actions, as well as harming the economy.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
Clothes remained a subject of considerable friction, but the matter that threatened to affect Dad’s stability was jazz.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
