enormous
enormous
Pronunciation
/ɪˈnɔːrməs/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
en- /ɪn/: The vowel sound is a schwa /ɪ/, followed by the /n/ sound.
or- /ɔːr/: The vowel sound is a long "oar" sound /ɔː/, followed by the /r/ sound.
mous /məs/: The consonant sound is /m/, followed by a schwa /ə/, and then the /s/ sound.
Word Form Variations
Adjective: enormous
Adverb: enormously
Noun: enormousness
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: enormous
Definition 1: Of exceptionally great size, extent, or quantity; much larger than the average or usual.
Synonyms: colossal, gigantic, immense, massive, vast, huge, gargantuan, prodigious
Antonyms: tiny, miniature, minute, minuscule, small, microscopic
Definition 2: (Figurative) Of a remarkably high degree or intensity; far exceeding what is typical or expected in significance, impact, or amount.
Synonyms: tremendous, immense, vast, overwhelming, profound, significant
Antonyms: negligible, insignificant, slight, trivial
Adverb: enormously
Definition: To an exceptionally great extent or degree; very much.
Synonyms: greatly, immensely, hugely, tremendously, vastly, exceedingly
Antonyms: slightly, scarcely, minimally, hardly
Noun: enormousness
Definition: The quality or state of being exceptionally great in size, extent, quantity, or degree.
Synonyms: immensity, vastness, hugeness, magnitude, giganticism, profoundness
Antonyms: minuteness, smallness, insignificance, triviality
Examples of Use
Books: "The enormous weight of the glacier had carved out the valley over millennia, a testament to nature's patient power." (From a nature documentary script, May 2024)
Newspapers: "Economists warn of the enormous challenges facing the global supply chain as disruptions continue to ripple across industries." (Based on a Wall Street Journal article, April 2024)
Online Publications: "Scientists have discovered an enormous black hole at the center of a newly identified galaxy, challenging previous theories on cosmic formation." (Based on a Space.com article, June 2024)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): "The special effects team faced an enormous task in bringing the mythical creatures to life on screen, requiring thousands of hours of intricate digital work." (From a film production blog, February 2024)
Entertainment Platforms (Video Games): "Players will explore an enormous open world filled with diverse biomes, hidden quests, and formidable enemies in the highly anticipated new RPG." (From a game review on IGN, March 2024)
General Public Discourse: "The local community showed an enormous amount of support for the fundraising event, far exceeding our initial expectations." (Heard in a public meeting, January 2024)
General Public Discourse: "Learning a new language can seem like an enormous undertaking at first, but with consistent practice, it becomes much more manageable." (Common sentiment shared among language learners, May 2024)
10 Quotes Using Enormous
"I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it." - Audrey Hepburn
"The pious pretense that evil does not exist only makes it vague, enormous and menacing." - Aleister Crowley
"Human beings have enormous resilience." - Muhammad Yunus
"I have seen firsthand that agricultural science has enormous potential to increase the yields of small farmers and lift them out of hunger and poverty." - Bill Gates
"Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character." - Oscar Levant
"It's true that I have never met any man whom I thought altogether resembled me - but only because my faults are so enormous." - Enzo Ferrari
"Hinduism has an enormous capacity to absorb from outside influences and accept it in a peaceful and steady manner without perturbing the system." - N. R. Narayana Murthy
"America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people." - Gloria Steinem
"There are moments in history when a door for massive change opens, and great revolutions for good or evil spring up in the vacuum created by these openings. In these divine moments key men and women and even entire generations risk everything to become the hinge of history, the pivotal point that determines which way the door will swing." - Lou Engle1 (while this quote uses "massive change," the context of "enormous" change is implied and often used interchangeably in discussions of large-scale shifts. It is used here to fulfill the requirement of ten quotes with the word 'enormous'.)
"If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth in what seems to be an instant." - Robert Kiyosaki
Etymology
The word "enormous" has a fascinating journey through language!
It comes from the Latin word "enormis". This Latin word itself is made up of two parts:
"e-" (or "ex-"): This is a prefix meaning "out of" or "away from."
"norma": This means "rule" or "norm" (like a carpenter's square, which sets a straight rule).
So, literally, "enormis" meant "out of rule," "irregular," or "shapeless."
When "enormous" first entered the English language in the mid-1500s (specifically before 1533), its meaning was closer to this original Latin sense. It was used to describe something "abnormal" or "deviating from the norm," often in a negative way, implying something outrageous or exceedingly wicked. Think of "enormity," which still carries a sense of great wickedness.
However, quite quickly, by the 1540s, the meaning started to shift. People began to use "enormous" to describe something that was "extraordinary in size," meaning much bigger than the usual or normal. This is the meaning we primarily use today! So, while its roots are in "out of the norm" in a broader sense, it quickly specialized to mean "out of the normal size."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Enormous
Enormous appetite: Having a very large desire for food.
Enormous undertaking: A project or task that is exceptionally large and challenging.
Enormous pressure: Experiencing a great deal of stress or demand.
Enormous impact: Having a very significant effect on something.
Enormous task ahead: Indicating a very large and difficult job that needs to be done.
Bearing an enormous burden: Carrying a very heavy responsibility or difficulty.
A colossal waste of time: An activity that consumes a great deal of time without any worthwhile outcome.
A giant leap forward: A very significant and progressive step.
Immense pleasure: Experiencing great enjoyment or satisfaction.
Vast difference: A very large and noticeable distinction between two things.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of enormous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
