monster

American  

[mon-ster] / ˈmɒn stər /

noun

1. a nonhuman creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people.

2. any creature grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.

3. a person who provokes or elicits horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc.

   Synonyms:

   miscreant, devil, demon, brute, fiend

4. any animal or thing huge in size.

5. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx.

6. Biology.

   1. an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure, as from marked malformation or the absence of certain parts or organs.

   2. a grossly anomalous fetus or infant, especially one that is not viable.

7. anything unnatural or monstrous.

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adjective

1. huge; enormous; monstrous.

   a monster tree.

monster British  

/ ˈmɒnstə /

noun

1. an imaginary beast, such as a centaur, usually made up of various animal or human parts

2. a person, animal, or plant with a marked structural deformity

3. a cruel, wicked, or inhuman person

4. 1. a very large person, animal, or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a monster cake

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verb

1. informal to criticize (a person or group) severely

2. sport to use intimidating tactics against (an opponent)

monster Idioms  

1. see green-eyed monster.

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Other Word Forms

• monsterlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of monster

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English monstre, from Latin mōnstrum “portent, unnatural event, monster,” from mon(ēre) “to warn” + -strum, noun suffix

Example Sentences

Then there’s a gorge in between and it’s filled with all these, like, monster people that are trying to get them.

From MarketWatch

In his early years, Padrino was sent to the U.S. for infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., which he said provided insight into American culture, what he called “the monster in its entrails.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But don’t fret monster lovers, the presence of Kong has also been teased for Season 2.

From Los Angeles Times

The stocks, however, offer monster yields, dividend growth, and improving balance sheets that enable more stock buybacks.

From Barron's

Your character is coming out at a time when he would be considered, for lack of a better term, the monster.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale