tremendous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree; that a whole civilization should be dependent on technology"- Walter Lippman
    enormous.
    • an enormous boulder
    • enormous expenses
    • tremendous sweeping plains
    • a tremendous fact in human experience
    • a plane took off with a tremendous noise
  2. adjective satellite extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
    fantastic; marvelous; marvellous; grand; terrific; howling; wonderful; wondrous; rattling.
    • a fantastic trip to the Orient
    • the film was fantastic!
    • a howling success
    • a marvelous collection of rare books
    • had a rattling conversation about politics
    • a tremendous achievement
  3. adjective satellite extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact
    frightful; awful; terrible.
    • in a frightful hurry
    • spent a frightful amount of money

WordNet

Tre*men"dous adjective
Etymology
L. tremendus that is to be trembled at, fearful, fr. tremere to tremble. See Tremble.
Definitions
  1. Fitted to excite fear or terror; such as may astonish or terrify by its magnitude, force, or violence; terrible; dreadful; as, a tremendous wind; a tremendous shower; a tremendous shock or fall.
    A tremendous mischief was a foot. Motley.
    Syn. -- Terrible; dreadful; frightful; terrific; horrible; awful. -- Tre*men"dous*ly, adv. -- Tre*men"dous*ness, n.

Webster 1913