tremendous

Tremendous is an English adjective describing something extremely large in size, amount, or degree, or something that inspires awe or admiration. It can also function as a qualitative intensifier, amplifying adjectives and verbs, as in “a tremendous effort” or “tremendously important.”

Etymology: Tremendous derives from Latin tremendus, meaning “to be trembled,” from tremere, “to tremble.” The form entered English via Old French and appeared in the early modern period. Originally it carried a fear-inducing sense, meaning something that caused trembling or alarm, and over time it broadened to denote awe-inspiring scale or magnitude, and later strong positive assessment.

Usage and nuance: Today tremendous most often conveys exceptional size or impact, sometimes with an enthusiastic tone. It is commonly used with nouns such as amount, growth, opportunity, talent, or effort. It can be paired with adverbs like tremendously to intensify verbs or adjectives. While broadly positive in contemporary usage, the word can retain its older sense in historical or dramatic contexts. In formal writing, tremendous is acceptable, but some writers prefer more precise terms such as enormous, immense, or considerable for size, or significant for impact.

Examples: The project required a tremendous amount of resources. The discovery was a tremendous breakthrough for science. The storm caused tremendous damage.