First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
immense
adjective im·mense \i-ˈmen(t)s\
: very great in size or amount
Full Definition of IMMENSE
1
: marked by greatness especially in size or degree; especially : transcending ordinary means of measurement <the immense universe>
2
: supremely good
— im·mense·ly adverb
— im·mense·ness noun
See immense defined for English-language learners
See immense defined for kids
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Origin of IMMENSE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin immensus immeasurable, from in- + mensus, past participle of metiri to measure — more at measure
Related to IMMENSE
- Synonyms
- astronomical (also astronomic), Brobdingnagian, bumper, colossal, cosmic (also cosmical), cyclopean, elephantine, enormous, galactic, gargantuan, giant, gigantesque, gigantic, grand, herculean, heroic (also heroical), Himalayan, humongous (also humungous), huge, jumbo, king-size (or king-sized), leviathan, mammoth, massive, mega, mighty, monster, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, oceanic, pharaonic, planetary, prodigious, super, super-duper, supersize, supersized, titanic, tremendous, vast, vasty, walloping, whacking, whopping
- Antonyms
- bantam, bitty, diminutive, infinitesimal, Lilliputian, little bitty, micro, microminiature, microscopic (also microscopical), midget, miniature, minuscule, minute, pocket, pygmy, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, wee
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with IMMENSE
IMMENSENESS Defined for Kids
immense
adjective im·mense \i-ˈmens\
Definition of IMMENSE for Kids
: very great in size or amount : huge <an immense fortune>
— im·mense·ly adverb
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