Dictionary

1monstrous

adjective mon·strous \ˈmän(t)-strəs\

: extremely or unusually large

: very wrong or unfair

: very ugly, cruel, or vicious

Full Definition of MONSTROUS

1
obsolete :  strange, unnatural
2
:  having extraordinary often overwhelming size :  gigantic
3
a :  having the qualities or appearance of a monster
b obsolete :  teeming with monsters
4
a :  extraordinarily ugly or vicious :  horrible
b :  shockingly wrong or ridiculous
5
:  deviating greatly from the natural form or character :  abnormal
6
:  very great —used as an intensive
mon·strous·ly adverb
mon·strous·ness noun
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First Known Use of MONSTROUS

15th century

Synonym Discussion of MONSTROUS

monstrous, prodigious, tremendous, stupendous mean extremely impressive. monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness <the monstrous waste of the project>. prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size) <made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside>. tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe <the tremendous roar of the cataract>. stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description <a stupendous volcanic eruption>.

2monstrous

adverb

Definition of MONSTROUS

chiefly dialect
:  very, extremely <a monstrous long raft — Mark Twain>

First Known Use of MONSTROUS

1590
MONSTROUSLY Defined for Kids

monstrous

adjective mon·strous \ˈmän-strəs\

Definition of MONSTROUS for Kids

1
:  unusually large :  enormous <He has a monstrous appetite.>
2
:  very bad or wrong <a monstrous injustice>
3
:  having the qualities or appearance of a monster <The monstrous creature approached.>
mon·strous·ly adverb

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