immense

adjective

im·​mense i-ˈmen(t)s How to pronounce immense (audio)
Synonyms of immensenext
1
: marked by greatness especially in size or degree
especially : transcending ordinary means of measurement
the immense universe
2
: supremely good
immenseness noun

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Just how big is something if it is immense? Huge? Colossal? Humongous? Ginormous? Or merely enormous? Immense is often used as a synonym of all of the above and, as such, can simply function as yet another way for English speakers to say "really, really, really big." Immense is also used, however, in a sense which goes beyond merely really, really, really big to describe something that is so great in size or degree that it transcends ordinary means of measurement. This sense harks back to the original sense of immense for something which is so tremendously big that it has not been or cannot be measured. This sense reflects the word's roots in the Latin immensus, from in- ("un-") and mensus, the past participle of metiri ("to measure").

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for immense

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 immense in a Sentence

He inherited an immense fortune. She is an artist of immense talent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leslie brought immense sensitivity to documenting Sabrina Spanta’s journey, reminding us of art’s role in spotlighting the truth and protecting the most vulnerable. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024 Jeffrey Goldhagen, a pediatrics professor at the University of Florida and the former head of the Duval County health department, believes that this vaccine skepticism has had immense costs. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024 Big names like Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Al Nassr's Sadio Mane, Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen, and Manchester United's Andre Onana took center stage, showcasing world-class performances and drawing immense global interest. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 However, the former mystery is being unraveled, to immense implications for the history of European migration. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for immense 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin immensus immeasurable, from in- + mensus, past participle of metiri to measure — more at measure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of immense was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near immense

immemorial

immense

immensely

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immense. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

immense

adjective
im·​mense im-ˈen(t)s How to pronounce immense (audio)
: very great in size or amount
especially : not capable of being measured by ordinary means
the immense universe
immensely adverb
immenseness noun
Etymology

from early French immense "immense, huge," from Latin immensus "boundless, too great to be measured," from im-, in- "not" and mensus, past participle of metiri "to measure" — related to dimension, measure

More from Merriam-Webster on immense

Nglish: Translation of immense for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of immense for Arabic Speakers

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