enormous
adj. US //iˈnɔɹməs// UK //ɪnˈɔːməs// enor·mous
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1 extremely large (adj.) A2 Elementaryextremely large in size, amount, or degree.
exceeding the common size, extent, or amount; extremely large or vast.
ExampleThe new stadium is enormous and can hold over eighty thousand people.
ExampleThe company faced an enormous challenge when the global supply chain was disrupted, forcing them to find new suppliers within weeks.
UsageAs an extreme adjective, it is typically modified by 'absolutely' rather than 'very'.
Teacher's tipWhile the word has historical roots meaning 'wicked' or 'outside the norm', modern usage is strictly limited to size and scale.
PitfallThe house was very enormous.The house was absolutely enormous.Because 'enormous' is an extreme adjective, we usually use 'absolutely' or 'totally' instead of 'very' to make it stronger.
From Latin ēnormis. An assimilated form of ex- (“out of”) + norma (“rule, norm”) + -ous.
- Adjectiveenormous
- Adverbenormously