B2 noun Neutral

enormous

/ɪˈnɔːrməs/

Enormous describes something that is extremely large in size, amount, or degree, far exceeding what is considered normal. It is often used to emphasize the scale or intensity of an object, feeling, or task.

Examples

3 of 5
1

They live in an enormous house with ten bedrooms and a private pool.

They live in an enormous house with ten bedrooms and a private pool.

2

The committee faced an enormous challenge in restructuring the organization's legal framework.

The committee faced an enormous challenge in restructuring the organization's legal framework.

3

I have an enormous pile of laundry to finish before the weekend starts.

I have an enormous pile of laundry to finish before the weekend starts.

Word Family

Noun
enormity
Adverb
enormously
Adjective
enormous
Related
enormousness
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'E-norm-ous' as something that is 'Exiting the Norm'—it is way beyond the normal size.

Quick Quiz

The new stadium is ________, seating over 100,000 people and covering several city blocks.

Correct!

The correct answer is: enormous

Examples

1

They live in an enormous house with ten bedrooms and a private pool.

everyday

They live in an enormous house with ten bedrooms and a private pool.

2

The committee faced an enormous challenge in restructuring the organization's legal framework.

formal

The committee faced an enormous challenge in restructuring the organization's legal framework.

3

I have an enormous pile of laundry to finish before the weekend starts.

informal

I have an enormous pile of laundry to finish before the weekend starts.

4

The study revealed an enormous discrepancy between the two experimental datasets.

academic

The study revealed an enormous discrepancy between the two experimental datasets.

5

The merger resulted in enormous profits for the shareholders during the first quarter.

business

The merger resulted in enormous profits for the shareholders during the first quarter.

Word Family

Noun
enormity
Adverb
enormously
Adjective
enormous
Related
enormousness

Common Collocations

enormous amount enormous amount
enormous pressure enormous pressure
enormous success enormous success
enormous potential enormous potential
enormous impact enormous impact

Common Phrases

an enormous task

an enormous task

enormous appetite

enormous appetite

of enormous importance

of enormous importance

Often Confused With

enormous vs enormity

While enormous refers to size, enormity traditionally refers to extreme wickedness or a grave crime, though it is increasingly used for large size in casual speech.

📝

Usage Notes

Enormous is a non-gradable (extreme) adjective. You should avoid using 'very' with it; instead, use 'absolutely' or 'simply' for emphasis.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use comparative forms like 'more enormous' or 'enormouser', but because it is already an extreme quality, these forms are generally avoided.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'E-norm-ous' as something that is 'Exiting the Norm'—it is way beyond the normal size.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'enormis', which comes from 'e-' (out of) and 'norma' (rule or pattern), literally meaning 'out of rule' or 'irregular'.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., an enormous dog). Used as a predicative adjective after a linking verb (e.g., the debt was enormous). Modified by extreme adverbs like 'absolutely' or 'quite'.

Quick Quiz

The new stadium is ________, seating over 100,000 people and covering several city blocks.

Correct!

The correct answer is: enormous

Related Phrases

Related Words

comagnment

C1

Describes a state of shared administrative authority or joint management over a specific project, resource, or asset. It is typically used in formal or technical contexts to characterize agreements where oversight is distributed among multiple parties.

semiferous

C1

Describing a plant, organ, or biological structure that produces, bears, or carries seeds. It is a technical term used to categorize species or parts based on their reproductive capacity to generate seeds.

inmissery

C1

A formal noun describing the state of being profoundly engulfed in or trapped by extreme distress, sorrow, or wretchedness. It emphasizes the internal and seemingly inescapable nature of one's suffering within a specific situation.

anfractty

C1

To follow a winding, circuitous, or indirect course; to move in a way that involves many twists and turns. Figuratively, it refers to the act of complicating a process or narrative with unnecessary details or indirect logic.

syngestable

C1

A syngestable is a specialized synthetic substance or component designed to be integrated and processed seamlessly within a biological or chemical system. It is used in advanced pharmacology to describe a material that acts as a carrier and is completely absorbed by the host environment.

ansimilent

C1

An adjective describing the capacity or tendency of a system, organism, or culture to absorb, integrate, and incorporate external elements into its own structure. It characterizes a process where new information or substances are transformed to become similar to the existing entity.

monofigist

C1

To portray or interpret a complex situation, narrative, or system by focusing exclusively on a single central figure or symbol. It involves the reduction of a multifaceted context into a singular figurative representation for the sake of simplified analysis or artistic emphasis.

obcapible

C1

Describing something that is easily perceived, understood, or grasped by the mind or senses. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote clarity and discernibility.

anprobery

C1

Relating to the act of probing or testing, typically used to describe an investigative or experimental approach to solving a problem. It characterizes a stage where evidence is sought or theories are tentatively explored before a final conclusion is reached.

semisanctship

C1

To accord a status of partial holiness or semi-sacred reverence to a person, object, or idea. It describes the act of treating something with significant respect and religious-like devotion without claiming it is fully divine.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free