monumental

[mon-yuh-men-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.

monumental

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of monumental¹

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

Example Sentences

“It’s just a monumental task ... but more power to them,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The box is carved with scenes of the labors of Hercules, while the lid is decorated with monumental reclining figures of the deceased.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In addition to the central event in the Grand Palais, monumental works have been installed across central Paris as part of a free public programme.

Read more on Barron's

One is 10 actual examples of these memorials, several monumental in size and many splashed with protesters’ paint.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But after an unexplained nine-month delay to the third plenum until July 2024, that monumental task is now expected to fall on the upcoming conclave.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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