prodigious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
    colossal; stupendous.
    • colossal crumbling ruins of an ancient temple
    • has a colossal nerve
    • a prodigious storm
    • a stupendous field of grass
    • stupendous demand
  2. adjective satellite of momentous or ominous significance
    portentous.
    • such a portentous...monster raised all my curiosity"- Herman Melville
    • a prodigious vision
  3. adjective satellite far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
    surpassing; olympian; exceeding; exceptional.
    • a night of exceeding darkness
    • an exceptional memory
    • olympian efforts to save the city from bankruptcy
    • the young Mozart's prodigious talents

WordNet

Pro*di"gious adjective
Etymology
L. prodigiosus, fr. prodigium a prodigy; cf. F. prodigieux. See Prodigy.
Definitions
  1. Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful; portentous. Obs. or R. Spenser.
    It is prodigious to have thunder in a clear sky. Sir T. Browne.
  2. Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder. "Prodigious might." Milton. Syn. -- Huge; enormous; monstrous; portentous; marvelous; amazing; astonishing; extraordinary.

Webster 1913