Voluminous

Voluminous is an adjective describing something that occupies a large amount of space or has large size, as well as something that exists in great quantity. It can refer to physical dimensions, such as a voluminous cloak or a voluminous book, as well as to the amount of material or data, such as voluminous notes, voluminous records, or voluminous datasets. The term is also used for features that are full or expansive in form, for example voluminous sleeves or voluminous hair. In a figurative sense, voluminous can describe extensive text or discussion, as in a voluminous manuscript or a voluminous report.

Etymology and history: Voluminous derives from Latin voluminosus, from volumen meaning “a roll or volume,” itself linked to volvo “to roll.” The sense of “bulky” or “extensive” developed in English during the early modern period, with the word entering through Latin and possibly French intermediaries.

Usage and context: Voluminous is a formal or literary term often used in fashion, literary description, architectural or physical descriptions, and technical writing. It frequently collocates with clothing (voluminous sleeves), paperwork or data (voluminous files), and prose (voluminous prose). Related forms include voluminously (adverb) and voluminousness (noun). Synonyms vary by sense but include bulky, capacious, expansive, extensive, and copious; antonyms include compact, small, and succinct.

See also: volume, volumetric.