Word
Definition
adj. extremely large in size, amount, or degree.
adj. exceeding the common size, extent, or amount; extremely large or vast.
Examples
“The house has an enormous garden.”
“The project was an enormous success, bringing in more revenue than the company had ever seen before.”
“Despite the enormous pressure from the board of directors, the CEO refused to compromise on the long-term sustainability goals of the organization.”
Examples
simple
“The house has an enormous garden.”
contextual
“The project was an enormous success, bringing in more revenue than the company had ever seen before.”
complex
“Despite the enormous pressure from the board of directors, the CEO refused to compromise on the long-term sustainability goals of the organization.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “enormous” in context.
Usage
As an extreme adjective, it is typically modified by 'absolutely' rather than 'very'.
Teaching tip
While the word has historical roots meaning 'wicked' or 'outside the norm', modern usage is strictly limited to size and scale.
Pitfall
The 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.
Etymology
From Latin ēnormis. An assimilated form of ex- (“out of”) + norma (“rule, norm”) + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/enormous
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0