tremendous

[trih-men-duhs]

adjective

1. extraordinarily great in size, amount, or intensity.

   a tremendous ocean liner; tremendous talent.

2. extraordinary in excellence.

   a tremendous movie.

3. dreadful or awful, as in character or effect; exciting fear; frightening; terrifying.

tremendous

/ trɪˈmɛndəs /

adjective

1. vast; huge

2. informal,  very exciting or unusual

3. informal,  (intensifier)

   a tremendous help

4. archaic,  terrible or dreadful

Other Word Forms

• tremendously adverb
• tremendousness noun
• untremendous adjective
• untremendousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremendous¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin tremendus “dreadful, to be shaken by,” equivalent to trem(ere) “to shake, quake” + -endus gerund suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremendous¹

C17: from Latin tremendus terrible, literally: that is to be trembled at, from tremere to quake

Synonym Study

See huge.

Example Sentences

"They are causing tremendous suffering that is prolonged over days, sometimes weeks. There seems to be a real pleasure being taken in causing pain."

From BBC

He argued in his sentencing memo that Lira is a “good man who made a serious mistake” and has “already paid a tremendous price” for failing to disclose Girardi’s actions.

From Los Angeles Times

Charles nods, “Laughter is a tremendous balm for the array of atrocities that we are experiencing as a culture.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Parker said her diagnosis had done "tremendous things" for her mental health, and she feels "the best I've ever been".

From BBC

Later that day he sent me word that his family members were safe - a tremendous relief, but a temporary one.

From BBC

Related Words

• amazing 
• astounding 
• awesome 
• colossal 
• dreadful 
• enormous 
• excellent 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• fabulous 
• fantastic 
• formidable 
• great 
• immense 
• incredible 
• marvelous 
• massive 
• monumental 
• prodigious 
• terrible