enormous

Enormous is an adjective meaning extremely large in size, extent, or degree. It applies to physical objects (an enormous statue), to quantities (an enormous amount of data), and to metaphorical effects (an enormous impact). The term signals a high degree of the property described and is often used for emphasis.

Enormous derives from Latin enormus meaning “monstrous, beyond measure,” via Old French into English; the word entered English in the late Middle Ages, taking on the sense of exceeding normal bounds.

Usage notes: Enormous is fairly neutral but strong; it is less formal than colossal and more vivid than simply large. It can modify both countable and uncountable nouns (an enormous crowd, an enormous debt, an enormous gain). In some contexts, it is a stylistic choice and may convey surprise or significance. In contrast with immense, the nuance is often about breadth of size or extent; immense may feel more abstract or sublime, while enormous emphasizes sheer scale or magnitude.

Common collocations include an enormous amount/number, enormous influence, enormous challenge, and enormous growth. Related terms include huge, vast, immense, colossal, and massive, which provide similar or nuanced shades of scale.