monumental
Americanadjective
-
like a monument, esp in large size, endurance, or importance
a monumental work of art
-
of, relating to, or being a monument
-
informal (intensifier)
monumental stupidity
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of monumental
From the Late Latin word monumentālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See monument, -al 1
Explanation
Whether it's a monumental effort requiring vast amounts of strength or a monumental cruise ship with eleven floors and five sets of elevators, the word monumental describes something imposing or massive in size. Monumental can also refer to something that's of outstanding importance or significance. A monumental decision for you would be one that changes your life — like the day you got engaged or when you decided to move to New York to be an actor. The word monumental can also be used if you're talking about a monument, a statue or structure commemorating a person or event. You might admire the monumental stonework on the statue in the town square.
Vocabulary lists containing monumental
The Maze Runner
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Stargirl
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Living Large: Synonyms for "Big"
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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.
Last Christmas, Jeremy Wright gave his soccer-loving wife a monumental present: tickets to the Netherlands–Japan World Cup matchup on June 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026
Whatever Restrepo’s skills, Petro has left him and his boss a monumental task.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
“It was a monumental moment in time, and we captured lightning in a bottle,” Olmos told The Times in 2023.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026
The fact that New York watched the Knicks win together, celebrated together and captured moments of it together shouldn’t feel monumental.
From Salon • Jun. 17, 2026
That was a monumental secret, a career-builder for a guy like Seanie Flaherty.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
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.
