First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1monster
noun mon·ster \ˈmän(t)-stər\
: a strange or horrible imaginary creature
: something that is extremely or unusually large
: a powerful person or thing that cannot be controlled and that causes many problems
Full Definition of MONSTER
1
a : an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure b : one who deviates from normal or acceptable behavior or character
2
: a threatening force
3
a : an animal of strange or terrifying shape b : one unusually large for its kind
4
: something monstrous; especially : a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty
5
: one that is highly successful
See monster defined for English-language learners
See monster defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MONSTER
Middle English monstre, from Anglo-French, from Latin monstrum omen, monster, from monēre to warn — more at mind
Related to MONSTER
- Synonyms
- grotesque, grotesquerie (also grotesquery), monstrosity, ogre
2monster
adjective
: very popular and successful
Full Definition of MONSTER
: enormous or impressive especially in size, extent, or numbers
See monster defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MONSTER
1837
Related to MONSTER
- 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), immense, jumbo, king-size (or king-sized), leviathan, mammoth, massive, mega, mighty, huge, 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
MONSTERS Defined for Kids
monster
noun mon·ster \ˈmän-stər\
Definition of MONSTER for Kids
1
: a strange or horrible creature
2
: something unusually large
3
: an extremely wicked or cruel person
Medical Dictionary
monster
noun mon·ster \ˈmän(t)-stər\
Medical Definition of MONSTER
: an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure; especially : a fetus or offspring with a major developmental abnormality
Learn More About MONSTER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: monstrancePrevious Word in the Dictionary: mons pubisAll Words Near: monster
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up monster? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).