German word

ungeheuer

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊngəˌhɔɪ̯ɐ/

Meaning

  • adverbextremely

Example

Er ist ungeheuer klug.

He is extremely clever.

Illustration for ungeheuer (extremely)

More examples

Die Kampagne brachte ungeheuer viele Anmeldungen.

The campaign brought in a great many registrations.

Core concept

A force so large that an ordinary comparison no longer contains it.

Common phrases

  • ungeheuer viele

    a great many

  • ungeheuer teuer

    extremely expensive

Similar words

sehr: To a very high degree.
extrem: To an exceptionally high degree, at the far end of a scale.
wahnsinnig: To an extremely high degree, with strong colloquial emphasis.
unheimlich: To a remarkably high degree, often with informal surprise.

Definition in German

In außergewöhnlichem Maße; dient als Verstärker, um hohe Intensität oder große Ausdehnung auszudrücken.

Word origin

The prefix un- in ungeheuer reverses the older sense of geheuer, 'safe' or 'familiar'; the resulting sense of the uncanny or monstrous later broadened into strong intensification.

Usage tips

  • Ungeheuer can intensify both favorable and unfavorable statements, so context determines whether it sounds admiring, alarming, or exaggerated.

Other meanings

  • veryadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Ungeheuermonsternoun
  • ungeheuerlichimmenseadjective

Word lists with this word