colossal

adjective

co·​los·​sal kə-ˈlä-səl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
colossal statues
2
: of a bulk, extent, power, or effect approaching or suggesting the stupendous or incredible
colossal rock formations
colossal stellar explosions
3
: of an exceptional or astonishing degree
a colossal failure
a colossal bore
colossal ambition
colossally adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for colossal

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 colossal in a Sentence

a colossal statue of the town's founder
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.
Only five of the colossal machines have ever been shipped. Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 22 May 2025 Here in this vast sandy landscape (also known as the Empty Quarter), colossal dunes create a breathtaking setting for stargazing — an activity that the resort can organize. Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Moving at the speed of light, radiation from the exploding atom bomb would hit the casing’s inner wall and, in a rebound, flood the interior with a colossal burst of rays that would compress and ignite the hydrogen fuel. William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025 In order to combat an invasion of colossal alien babies, rival gangs must form a unified front to ensure survival. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Word History

Etymology

see colossus

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of colossal was in 1664

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colossal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

colossal

adjective
co·​los·​sal kə-ˈläs-əl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
especially : of very great size
a colossal office building
2
: extraordinary, exceptional
colossal growth
a colossal failure
colossally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on colossal

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