Word
colossal
Phoneticscolos·sal
US/kəˈɫɑsəɫ/
UK/kəlˈɒsəl/
Definitions
01extremely large
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. extremely large in size or amount.
adj. of enormous size, extent, or amount; often used to describe physical structures or abstract quantities like debt.
“The company suffered a colossal loss of money after the project failed.”
“The archaeological team discovered the ruins of a colossal statue that must have dominated the city skyline for centuries.”
02spectacular or epic
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. amazingly impressive or great in scale.
adj. extraordinary or spectacular in nature; used to emphasize the epic quality of an event or achievement.
“The concert was a colossal success and everyone talked about it for weeks.”
“The film was a colossal achievement in cinematography, pushing the boundaries of what digital effects could accomplish at the time.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“He says of his birth father: “One of the few conversations I ever had with him was when he said an English degree was a colossal waste of time.” “The hospitality industry has already been hit by colossal business rates hikes thanks to Labour, on top of their Jobs Tax and employment red tape that have driven up costs.” Etymology
From French colossal, formed from Latin colossus, from Ancient Greek κολοσσός (kolossós, “giant statue”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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