momentous

[moh-men-tuhs]

adjective

1. of great or far-reaching importance or consequence.

   a momentous day.

   Synonyms: serious, crucial, critical, vital
   Antonyms: trifling, trivial

momentous

/ məʊˈmɛntəs /

adjective

1. of great significance

Other Word Forms

• momentously adverb
• momentousness noun
• unmomentous adjective
• unmomentously adverb
• unmomentousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentous¹

First recorded in 1645–55; moment + -ous

Synonym Study

See heavy.

Example Sentences

Shah's son, International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah, called the decision a "momentous occasion for Indian sports".

Read more on Barron's

In the most momentous basketball game in the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Ajay Mitchell played exactly 32 seconds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"What should be a momentous occasion has sadly been overshadowed by scandal and dishonesty from someone who was welcomed into our crazy sport," she said in a post on her Instagram, external account.

Read more on BBC

The major non-NATO ally designation will deepen defense cooperation and was celebrated as a momentous victory in Saudi Arabia’s state-controlled press.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was the most momentous event in UK history since World War Two.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• consequential 
• crucial 
• decisive 
• eventful 
• far-reaching 
• fateful 
• historic 
• meaningful 
• memorable 
• notable 
• pivotal 
• significant 
• weighty