French word

gigantesque

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒigɑ̃tɛsk/

Meaning

  • adjectivehuge

Example

C'est un bâtiment gigantesque.

It is a huge building.

Illustration for gigantesque (huge)

More examples

Il a dû faire un effort gigantesque pour terminer le travail.

He had to make a gigantic effort to finish the work.

Core concept

Something so vast or powerful that it dominates the surrounding scene.

Common phrases

  • un effort gigantesque

    a gigantic effort

  • une facture gigantesque

    a gigantic bill

  • une responsabilité gigantesque

    a gigantic responsibility

Similar words

grand: Noticeably larger than usual in size or dimensions.
énorme: Extremely large in size or amount.
immense: Vast in extent or exceptionally broad in scale.
imposant: Strongly impressive in appearance, presence, or stature.

Definition in French

Qui marque une grandeur ou une intensité exceptionnelle, employé de façon emphatique et souvent au sens figuré plutôt qu'au sens strictement physique.

Word origin

The adjective comes through Italian gigantesco from Greek gigas, the source of the French word for a giant.

Usage tips

  • Gigantesque often sounds emphatic rather than strictly measured, so it naturally describes costs, efforts, or effects as well as buildings.

Opposites

Word lists with this word