voluminous
Americanadjective
-
forming, filling, or writing a large volume or many volumes.
a voluminous edition.
-
sufficient to fill a volume or volumes.
a voluminous correspondence.
-
of great volume, size, or extent.
voluminous flow of lava.
-
of ample size, extent, or fullness.
voluminous petticoats.
-
having many coils, convolutions, or windings.
adjective
-
of great size, quantity, volume, or extent
-
(of writing) consisting of or sufficient to fill volumes
-
prolific in writing or speech
-
obsolete winding
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of voluminous
1605–15; < Late Latin volūminōsus full of folds, equivalent to Latin volūmin- (stem of volūmen ) volume + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
Consider that volume is a measure of size. That will help you understand that voluminous refers to something very large in size or extent. Suppose instead of calling a book a book, you called it a volume. Suddenly, it seems to be part of a much bigger thing. And what if it were only Volume I, with 23 more volumes to go? Even bigger, right? In fact, it's more than big; it’s voluminous. Voluminous describes very large things. The flouncy skirt of a wedding dress? Voluminous. Media coverage of some movie star's divorce? Also voluminous. The word voluminous describes something ample, extensive, and just plain huge.
Vocabulary lists containing voluminous
"The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The House of the Scorpion
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
She was just what was needed here, given that this orchestra has traditionally kept its distance from Mr. Glass’s voluminous canon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
The 27-year-old's own voluminous locks will remain intact, having pledged to shave his head if Panama won the World Cup.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
The civil suit cites neighbors’ complaints about “a voluminous amount of noxious excrement” as a major reason for the legal action.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
Ed and my husband have voluminous conversations about obscure historical figures and the state of humanity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
It was the first in a sequence of impossibly rich and voluminous banquets whose menus raised the question of whether any of the city’s leading men could possibly have a functional artery.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
