monster

[mon-ster]

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.

adjective

1. huge; enormous; monstrous.

   a monster tree.

monster

/ 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

verb

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

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

Other Word Forms

• monsterlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monster¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of monster¹

C13: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum portent, from monēre to warn

Idioms and Phrases

see green-eyed monster.

Example Sentences

If this year’s Rare Books L.A. had an unofficial theme, it was Dr. Frankenstein’s monster.

From Los Angeles Times

The president has long railed against judges who rule against him, calling them “monsters,” “deranged,” and “radical” at various points in the past.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Hastings said people often misinterpreted the actions of people with Tourette's and thought they were "aggressive or a monster", so to see a positive representation on the big screen felt "helpful".

From BBC

The US had described the five - from Jamaica, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and Yemen - as "deprived monsters".

From BBC

Mr Levy said the "monster" attacker tried to bash down the doors of the synagogue and he recalled locking the building down with other congregations members.

From BBC

Related Words

• behemoth 
• freak 
• giant 
• whale