gigantic

adjective

gi·​gan·​tic jī-ˈgan-tik How to pronounce gigantic (audio)
jə-
: exceeding the usual or expected (as in size, force, or prominence)
gigantically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for gigantic

enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large.

enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

Examples of gigantic in a Sentence

a raccoon got into the trash and now there's a gigantic mess in our backyard
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In Antarctica, sea ice surrounding the continent also buttresses gigantic ice sheets, slowing the flow of glacial ice into the ocean. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024 Invest in community colleges, where a gigantic proportion of American students are but where a lack of resources often thwarts their ambitions. Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 Sales of gigantic screens are a bright spot for the TV manufacturing industry, amid stagnant sales for the overall category, according to research firm Circana. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 On September 20, shortly after her big win in the debate, Harris boasted a gigantic lead of around 200 EVs. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gigantic 

Word History

Etymology

Greek gigantikos, from gigant-, gigas giant

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gigantic was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near gigantic

Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gigantic. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gigantic

adjective
gi·​gan·​tic jī-ˈgant-ik How to pronounce gigantic (audio)
: being beyond the ordinary or expected (as in size, weight, or strength)

More from Merriam-Webster on gigantic

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