enormous
gb/ɪnˈɔɹməs/ us/ɪnˈɔɹməs/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Extremely large in size or amount
Very big in size or number.
Usage pattern:
[something] is enormous
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'enormous' with 'enormity'. 'Enormity' refers to extreme seriousness or evil, not size.
Synonyms
huge (Slightly more informal, but very close in meaning.)
|
massive (Often suggests weight or bulk as well as size.)
|
gigantic (Stronger and more dramatic than 'enormous'.)
Antonyms
tiny (Much smaller than normal in size.)
|
small (General opposite in size.)
Collocations
enormous amount
|enormous pressure
|enormous difference
|enormous building
|enormous impact
Themes
description
|measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company made an enormous profit last year.
- She felt an enormous sense of relief when she heard the news.
- The museum has an enormous collection of ancient artifacts.
- They live in an enormous house by the lake.
- Climate change poses an enormous challenge to the world.
Learner examples
- The dog is enormous.
- He has an enormous car.
- This box is enormous.
- The park is enormous.
- We saw an enormous bird.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enormous
IPA
GB/ɪnˈɔɹməs/
US/ɪnˈɔɹməs/
Syllables & stress
enorm - ous (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ous)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: enormous
Word family
Core family
enormously
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
enormity
noun
Expressions
enormous amount of
1/ɪnˈɔɹməs əmˈaʊnt əv/
fixed phrase
A very large quantity of something
A lot of something; much more than normal.
Examples
- She has an enormous amount of work to do before Friday.
- We spent an enormous amount of money on the wedding.
enormous pressure
1/ɪnˈɔɹməs pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Great stress or force on someone or something
A lot of stress or force on a person or thing.
Examples
- The team is under enormous pressure to win the championship.
- He felt enormous pressure to meet the deadline.