monstrous
gb/mˈɑnstɹəs/ us/mˈɑnstɹəs/
B1
English
~ 4900
óriási, szörnyűséges, szörnyszerű
B1
1
óriási
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is monstrous
The skyscraper cast a monstrous shadow over the park.
A felhőkarcoló óriási árnyékot vetett a parkra.
He faced a monstrous pile of paperwork on his desk.
Az íróasztalán óriási halom papírmunka várta.
A monstrous wave crashed against the shore.
Learner examples
The dog is monstrous compared to the cat.
A kutya óriási a macskához képest.
We saw a monstrous cake at the party.
Óriási tortát láttunk a partin.
That tree is monstrous and old.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'monstrous' with 'monster', which is a noun. 'Monstrous' is an adjective describing something.
Meaning
Extremely large or huge
Collocations
monstrous wave
|monstrous lie
|monstrous storm
|monstrous appetite
Synonyms
enormous (Commonly used for very large size, less emotive than 'monstrous'.)
Antonyms
tiny (Describes something very small in size, the opposite of 'monstrous' when referring to largeness.)
Themes
size
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very, very big in size, amount, or degree.
Exceptionally and unusually large in size, amount, or degree.
B2
2
szörnyűséges
B2
Usage pattern:
[action/behavior] is monstrous
The dictator committed monstrous acts against his people.
A diktátor szörnyűséges tetteket követett el a saját népe ellen.
It was a monstrous betrayal of trust.
Ez a bizalom szörnyűséges elárulása volt.
Such monstrous cruelty cannot be ignored.
Learner examples
It was a monstrous crime.
Szörnyűséges bűntett volt.
He did a monstrous thing to his friend.
Szörnyűséges dolgot tett a barátjával szemben.
The war caused monstrous pain to many people.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'monstrous' for any bad thing; it should be reserved for extreme wrongdoing.
Meaning
Extremely cruel or evil
Collocations
monstrous crime
|monstrous act
|monstrous injustice
Synonyms
atrocious (Strongly emphasizes extreme cruelty or wickedness.)
Antonyms
benevolent (Characterized by kindness and goodwill; opposite of cruel.)
Themes
morality
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very bad, cruel, or wrong.
Shockingly cruel, brutal, or morally wrong.
B2
LITERARY
3
szörnyszerű
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is monstrous
A monstrous creature emerged from the depths.
Egy szörnyszerű lény bukkant elő a mélyből.
They told tales of a monstrous beast roaming the hills.
Történeteket meséltek egy szörnyszerű fenevadról, amely a dombokat járta.
His face was twisted into a monstrous grin.
Learner examples
The movie showed a monstrous animal.
A filmben egy szörnyszerű állatot mutattak.
She drew a picture of a monstrous fish.
Egy szörnyszerű halat rajzolt.
The monster had a monstrous body.
Meaning
Looking or acting like a monster
Collocations
monstrous creature
|monstrous face
|monstrous beast
Synonyms
grotesque (Strange and unpleasant in appearance, often in an unnatural way.)
Antonyms
beautiful (Pleasing to the senses; opposite of ugly or frightening.)
Themes
appearance
|fantasy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking very strange or scary like a monster.
Having a frightening, unnatural, or grotesque appearance or nature like that of a monster.
Grammar
Dictionary form
monstrous
IPA
GB/mˈɑnstɹəs/
US/mˈɑnstɹəs/
Syllables & stress
mon - strous (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mon)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: monstrous
Word family
Core family
monster
noun A2
monstrously
adverb
Advanced or less common
monstrosity
noun
Expressions
monstrous regiment of women
1/mˈɑnstɹəs ɹˈɛd͡ʒɪmənt əv wˈɪmən/
idiom
literary
Rule by women (archaic/critical)
An old phrase meaning rule or government by women, used critically by some in the past.
Examples
- The phrase 'monstrous regiment of women' was famously used by John Knox in the 16th century.
- Historians debate the impact of the so-called 'monstrous regiment of women' on politics of that era.