monstrous
gb/mˈɑnstɹəs/ us/mˈɑnstɹəs/
B1
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Extremely large or huge
Very, very big in size, amount, or degree.
Usage pattern:
[something] is monstrous
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'monstrous' with 'monster', which is a noun. 'Monstrous' is an adjective describing something.
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.)
Collocations
monstrous wave
|monstrous lie
|monstrous storm
|monstrous appetite
Themes
size
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The skyscraper cast a monstrous shadow over the park.
- He faced a monstrous pile of paperwork on his desk.
- A monstrous wave crashed against the shore.
Learner examples
- The dog is monstrous compared to the cat.
- We saw a monstrous cake at the party.
- That tree is monstrous and old.
adjective
B2
property
2
Extremely cruel or evil
Very bad, cruel, or wrong.
Usage pattern:
[action/behavior] is monstrous
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'monstrous' for any bad thing; it should be reserved for extreme wrongdoing.
Synonyms
atrocious (Strongly emphasizes extreme cruelty or wickedness.)
Antonyms
benevolent (Characterized by kindness and goodwill; opposite of cruel.)
Collocations
monstrous crime
|monstrous act
|monstrous injustice
Themes
morality
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The dictator committed monstrous acts against his people.
- It was a monstrous betrayal of trust.
- Such monstrous cruelty cannot be ignored.
Learner examples
- It was a monstrous crime.
- He did a monstrous thing to his friend.
- The war caused monstrous pain to many people.
adjective
literary
B2
property
3
Looking or acting like a monster
Looking very strange or scary like a monster.
Usage pattern:
[something] is monstrous
Synonyms
grotesque (Strange and unpleasant in appearance, often in an unnatural way.)
Antonyms
beautiful (Pleasing to the senses; opposite of ugly or frightening.)
Collocations
monstrous creature
|monstrous face
|monstrous beast
Themes
appearance
|fantasy
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A monstrous creature emerged from the depths.
- They told tales of a monstrous beast roaming the hills.
- His face was twisted into a monstrous grin.
Learner examples
- The movie showed a monstrous animal.
- She drew a picture of a monstrous fish.
- The monster had a monstrous body.
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.