The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

gargantuan

IPA:

Dictionary definition of gargantuan

Of enormous size or magnitude.
"The gargantuan cruise ship towered over the dock, casting a shadow on the entire harbor."

Detailed meaning of gargantuan

It evokes a sense of immense scale and often implies an overwhelming or colossal nature. When applied to an object or entity, such as a building, a creature, or a project, it signifies an extraordinary and awe-inspiring dimension. The term "gargantuan" goes beyond merely being large or big, as it conveys a sense of sheer grandeur and magnitude that is hard to fathom. It captures the attention and imagination, invoking a feeling of astonishment and dwarfing everything else in its presence. Whether referring to a gargantuan skyscraper reaching for the heavens, a gargantuan whale majestically gliding through the oceans, or a gargantuan undertaking that requires immense resources and effort, this adjective signifies an extraordinary scale that commands respect and captivates the mind.

Example sentences containing gargantuan

1. The explorer was in awe of the gargantuan mountain range that stretched as far as the eye could see.
2. The construction team marveled at the gargantuan dimensions of the skyscraper they were tasked with building.
3. The scientist discovered a fossilized bone from a gargantuan prehistoric creature that roamed the earth millions of years ago.
4. The crowd gasped as the gargantuan fireworks display illuminated the night sky with a brilliant array of colors.
5. The billionaire's mansion featured a gargantuan swimming pool that could accommodate dozens of people at once.
6. The library housed a gargantuan collection of books, spanning countless shelves and genres.

History and etymology of gargantuan

The adjective 'gargantuan' is derived from the name of a fictional giant in the 16th-century French satire 'Gargantua' by François Rabelais. The character Gargantua was known for his immense size and insatiable appetite, often depicted as a colossal figure. The term 'gargantuan' itself began to be used in English to describe things of enormous size or magnitude, drawing upon the exaggerated and larger-than-life characteristics of the literary giant. The etymology of 'gargantuan' thus reflects its historical association with the legendary size and grandiosity of the character Gargantua, making it a fitting word to describe anything of truly colossal proportions.

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Further usage examples of gargantuan

1. The storm unleashed gargantuan waves that crashed against the shore, causing widespread flooding.
2. The movie boasted gargantuan special effects, bringing larger-than-life creatures to the silver screen.
3. The company embarked on a gargantuan marketing campaign to launch its new product worldwide.
4. The politician made a gargantuan promise to overhaul the entire healthcare system if elected.
5. The ancient castle stood as a testament to the gargantuan efforts of the craftsmen who built it centuries ago.The skyscraper's gargantuan height dwarfed the cityscape.
6. A gargantuan feast awaited us at the banquet.
7. The project's budget was of gargantuan proportions.
8. The stadium's screen displayed a gargantuan image.
9. The task ahead seemed gargantuan but not impossible.
10. We faced a gargantuan challenge in the wilderness.
11. The whale's size was truly gargantuan in the ocean.
12. Her success was a result of gargantuan effort.
13. The library's collection was gargantuan and impressive.
14. The traffic jam on the highway was gargantuan.
15. The mansion had a gargantuan, opulent design.
16. The mountain range had a gargantuan presence.
17. The ancient tree had a gargantuan trunk.
18. The corporation's profits reached a gargantuan figure.
19. The battleship's guns were of gargantuan caliber.
20. The dessert was a gargantuan slice of cake.
21. The waterfall's cascade created a gargantuan roar.
22. The iceberg's size was gargantuan and imposing.
23. The spaceship was of gargantuan dimensions.
24. The superhero battled a gargantuan monster.