monumental

American  

[mon-yuh-men-tl] / ˌmɒn yəˈmɛn tl /

adjective

1. resembling a monument; massive or imposing.

   Synonyms:

   colossal, immense

2. exceptionally great, as in quantity, quality, extent, or degree.

   a monumental work.

3. of historical or enduring significance.

   a monumental victory.

4. Fine Arts. having the quality of being larger than life; of heroic scale.

5. of or relating to a monument or monuments.

6. serving as a monument.

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monumental British  

/ ˌmɒnjʊˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. like a monument, esp in large size, endurance, or importance

   a monumental work of art

2. of, relating to, or being a monument

3. informal (intensifier)

   monumental stupidity

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Other Word Forms

• monumentalism noun
• monumentality noun
• monumentally adverb
• premonumental adjective
• unmonumental adjective

Etymology

Origin of monumental

From the Late Latin word monumentālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See monument, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Defence analysts say that a lightning operation to take Greenland could be done relatively easily, but the fallout would be monumental.

From BBC

Even Khrushchev understood that what seems like rapid change in the moment often proves far less monumental over time.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the blowout loss was almost as monumental for the Jets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Him being back fit is monumental, not only for him but his World Cup aspirations as well.

From BBC

And before you are the actual stairs, monumental in size and treatment, leading to the galleries above.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• awesome
• enduring
• enormous
• fantastic
• gigantic
• grand
• great
• historic
• huge
• immense
• mammoth
• massive
• memorable
• significant
• towering
• tremendous
• unforgettable
• vast