prodigious

Prodigious is an adjective describing something that is remarkably or impressively great in size, extent, quantity, or degree; it can also mean extraordinary or marvelous. The word often implies awe or astonishment, whether praising a feat or noting an unusual magnitude.

Etymology: Prodigious comes from Latin prodigiosus “wondrous, extraordinary,” from prodigium “omen, portent.” The sense shifted from the idea of a portent to something extraordinary in natural or human phenomena. In English, it has retained a formal or literary tone and is more common in written prose than in everyday speech.

Usage: Prodigious is versatile, used for physical scale as well as metaphoric impact. It can modify nouns such as talent (a prodigious talent), memory (a prodigious memory), growth, or storms. In contemporary writing it often carries a positive resonance, though it can be used hyperbolically or ironically.

Examples: A prodigious achievement drew international attention. The expedition faced prodigious odds but succeeded. He recovered with prodigious speed after the injury.

Related terms: prodigy (a person, especially a young one, with exceptional abilities). Adverb: prodigiously; noun: prodigiousness (less common).