voluminous
Americanadjective
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forming, filling, or writing a large volume or many volumes.
a voluminous edition.
-
sufficient to fill a volume or volumes.
a voluminous correspondence.
-
of great volume, size, or extent.
voluminous flow of lava.
-
of ample size, extent, or fullness.
voluminous petticoats.
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having many coils, convolutions, or windings.
adjective
-
of great size, quantity, volume, or extent
-
(of writing) consisting of or sufficient to fill volumes
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prolific in writing or speech
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obsolete winding
Other Word Forms
- hypervoluminous adjective
- hypervoluminously adverb
- hypervoluminousness noun
- supervoluminous adjective
- supervoluminously adverb
- unvoluminous adjective
- unvoluminously adverb
- unvoluminousness noun
- voluminosity noun
- voluminously adverb
- voluminousness noun
Etymology
Origin of voluminous
1605–15; < Late Latin volūminōsus full of folds, equivalent to Latin volūmin- (stem of volūmen ) volume + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
Consider that volume is a measure of size. That will help you understand that voluminous refers to something very large in size or extent. Suppose instead of calling a book a book, you called it a volume. Suddenly, it seems to be part of a much bigger thing. And what if it were only Volume I, with 23 more volumes to go? Even bigger, right? In fact, it's more than big; it’s voluminous. Voluminous describes very large things. The flouncy skirt of a wedding dress? Voluminous. Media coverage of some movie star's divorce? Also voluminous. The word voluminous describes something ample, extensive, and just plain huge.
Vocabulary lists containing voluminous
"The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
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The House of the Scorpion
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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.
What many saw was a cautious career prosecutor who was forced to testify under duress and who deflected questions from both Democrats and Republicans by referring repeatedly to his voluminous report.
From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026
She worries having less voluminous hair could limit her job prospects at medical clinics specializing in cosmetic care or dermatology.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026
Maximalism was a clear theme in the upcoming season's shows - it was all about voluminous dresses and skirts, luxurious fabrics and chunky jewellery.
From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025
Discovery’s voluminous film and television library, giving customers more choices of what to watch with the aim of boosting engagement.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025
Penelope thought of Madame Ionesco: her short stature, the poor condition of her teeth, her collection of voluminous scarves, and her excellent recipe for Gypsy cakes, of which the children had grown quite fond.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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.
