# gigantic

/dʒaɪˈɡænɪk/ (US) · /dʒaɪɡˈæntɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gigantic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extremely large

adjective · CEFR B1

extremely large or huge, much bigger than normal.

For teachers: of extraordinary size, magnitude, or power; exceeding the typical dimensions of its kind.

- The ship looked gigantic as it sailed into the small harbour.
- The construction of the gigantic skyscraper required innovative engineering techniques to withstand the high-altitude wind pressures.

Usage: Often used to emphasize the scale of physical objects or natural features.

### 2. excellent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

very good, exciting, or impressive.

For teachers: denoting excellence or high quality; used as a superlative of approval.

- We had a gigantic time at the concert last night.
- The party was absolutely gigantic, with music and dancing that lasted until the early hours of the morning.

Teaching tip: This sense is somewhat dated; modern speakers are more likely to use 'awesome' or 'massive' in a similar way.

## Examples

- The ship looked gigantic next to the small fishing boats.
- The construction crew used a gigantic crane to lift the steel beams to the top floor of the new hotel.
- The discovery of a gigantic fossilized skeleton forced paleontologists to reconsider their previous theories regarding the maximum size achievable by land-dwelling mammals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.