enormous

[ih-nawr-muhs]

adjective

1. greatly exceeding the common size, extent, etc.; huge; immense.

   an enormous fortune.

   Synonyms: stupendous, prodigious, mammoth, gigantic, colossal, vast

2. outrageous or atrocious.

   enormous wickedness; enormous crimes.

enormous

/ ɪˈnɔːməs /

adjective

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

2. archaic,  extremely wicked; heinous

Other Word Forms

• enormously adverb
• enormousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enormous¹

First recorded in 1525–35; enorm + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of enormous¹

C16: from Latin ēnormis, from ē- out of, away from + norma rule, pattern

Synonym Study

See huge.

Example Sentences

Mr Mackenzie said this led to a "catastrophic failure of the unit" and generated "an enormous amount of heat and energy" - which could cause serious fires.

From BBC

"For Saudi Arabia it's an enormous win. Whether it is for everyone else, that's a different question."

From BBC

"This is a big moment, this will offer an enormous resource for JLR and the supply chain to get through the immediate challenges that they face."

From BBC

“We saw an enormous charitable response for Camp fire victims,” said Katie Simmons, deputy chief administrative officer overseeing recovery efforts for Butte County.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet the prime minister, who still helms an enormous Commons majority, has a resolute focus on who the singular enemy is.

From BBC

Related Words

• behemothic www.thesaurus.com
• colossal 
• excessive 
• gargantuan 
• gigantic 
• huge 
• humongous 
• immense 
• mammoth 
• massive 
• monstrous 
• prodigious 
• tremendous 
• vast