What is enormous? Pronunciation and usage in English

enormous means . Learn how to pronounce and use enormous through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of enormous

enormousadjective

/ɪˈnɔːməs/
Definition & pronunciation of enormous

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "enormous" in English. It's a tricky one because of the combination of sounds! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word is broken down into three syllables:

  • en - like the word "hen"
  • or - like the word "more"
  • mous - like the word "mouse"

2. Pronunciation Guide:

Here's a more detailed guide, using common phonetic symbols (though these aren't essential to understand):

  • en - /ən/ (a short, unstressed "uh" sound – think of "in" but very quick)
  • or - /ɔr/ (like the "or" in "more" or "born")
  • mous - /maʊs/ (rhymes with "house")

3. Putting it together:

When you say the whole word, it sounds like this: ˈen.ɔr.maʊs (The 'ˈ' symbol indicates the stressed syllable, which is the first syllable – "en".)

4. Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The emphasis is strongly on the first syllable ("en").
  • "or" sound: Make sure you're saying the "or" like in "more," not like in "car."
  • "mous" sound: This is a short, somewhat muffled "m" followed by the "ow" sound as in "house."

Resources to hear it:

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  • Give you some example sentences using the word "enormous"?

Usage and examples with the word enormous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "enormous" effectively in English.

1. Meaning:

"Enormous" means extremely large or great in size, amount, or degree. It’s a stronger word than “big” or “large.” Think of it as suggesting something truly substantial.

2. Parts of Speech & Usage:

  • Adjective: This is the most common use. You’ll use it to describe something.

    • Example: "The elephant had an enormous trunk."
    • Example: "They received an enormous gift for their wedding."
    • Example: "The company’s profits were enormous this year."

  • Noun (Rare): It can occasionally be used as a noun, often referring to a vast or substantial quantity – this is less frequent.

    • Example: "He amassed an enormous fortune." (Meaning a huge amount of money)
    • Example: "The scale of the disaster was enormous." (Meaning the size of the problem was overwhelming)

3. Examples in Sentences (Showing Different Contexts):

  • Physical Size: “The mountain was enormous, rising thousands of feet into the sky.”
  • Quantity: “They sold enormous quantities of tickets to the concert.”
  • Impact/Effect: “The news had an enormous impact on the community.”
  • Amount: “The detective discovered enormous sums of money hidden in the safe.”
  • Difficulty: “The project presented enormous challenges.”

4. Alternatives (When ‘Enormous’ Might Feel Strong:

While “enormous” is great, sometimes it's too emphatic. Here are some alternatives, depending on what you want to convey:

  • Huge: (A good, common alternative - slightly less intense)
  • Large: (More neutral)
  • Massive: (Suggests weight and scale)
  • Gigantic: (Implies something truly enormous – often used for fantastical things)
  • Immense: (Suggests vastness and scope)
  • Substantial: (Focuses on quantity or importance)

5. Tips for Using it Correctly:

  • Don’t overuse it: Like any strong word, “enormous” can lose its impact if used too frequently.
  • Consider the context: Ensure it truly fits the scale you're describing. Is "large" or "big" sufficient?
  • Combine with other descriptive words: To add more detail, use "enormous" with other adjectives, like "enormous and impressive" or “enormous and terrifying.”

Resources for More Examples:

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  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a description of a building, a story about a discovery, etc.)

Synonyms for the word enormous

Practice with vocabulary enormous

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company faced an ________ challenge in adapting to the new market demands, requiring significant strategic adjustments.
  2. The research team made a ________ breakthrough in renewable energy technology last year, attracting widespread attention.
  3. The recent economic downturn has had an ________ impact on small businesses across the region, leading to numerous closures.
  4. Effective communication is ________ for successful teamwork in any professional environment, ensuring all members are aligned.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The new data center requires a building of truly ________ proportions to house all the servers and cooling systems efficiently. A) vast B) tiny C) enormous D) immense E) petite

  2. Her presentation left a ________ impression on the entire board of directors, leading to immediate approval for the project. A) superficial B) profound C) shallow D) deep E) slight

  3. Developing the vaccine was an ________ undertaking, demanding years of meticulous research and global collaboration. A) miniature B) colossal C) modest D) enormous E) gigantic

  4. We have received ________ funding to complete the first phase of the project, but more will be needed for the next stages. A) insufficient B) meager C) substantial D) ample E) scarce

  5. The team showed ________ resilience in overcoming the unexpected technical difficulties during the live demonstration. A) immense B) trivial C) enormous D) considerable E) negligible

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The amount of data generated by modern technology is truly mind-boggling. Rewrite using "enormous":

  2. The company made a very large effort to reduce its carbon footprint. Rewrite using "enormous":

  3. It is extremely important for us to analyze the market trends before launching the new product. Rewrite without using "enormous":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. enormous
  2. significant
  3. enormous
  4. crucial

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) vast, C) enormous, D) immense
  2. B) profound, D) deep
  3. B) colossal, D) enormous, E) gigantic
  4. C) substantial, D) ample
  5. A) immense, C) enormous, D) considerable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Modern technology generates an enormous amount of data.
  2. The company made an enormous effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
  3. Analyzing the market trends is crucial before launching the new product.

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