rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycolossalEnormous
adjective

colossal

kuh-LAH-sul/kəˈlɑːsl/

Extremely large in size or degree.

The colossal sequoia trunk dwarfs the two visitors standing at its base.

A colossal sequoia trunk dwarfs two adult visitors standing at its base; their familiar human scale makes its extraordinary size immediately readable.
Etymology
colossLatinstatue larger than life
+alFrenchrelating to

A statue larger than life supplies the image of extraordinary scale. Colossal applies that scale beyond statues, describing immense size or, figuratively, an overwhelming degree or importance.

In context

ClassicistORG41:00
At the bottom of the slide is an image of Boulée’s project for a colossal Cenotaph for Isaac Newton, and above right is his design for a Library
How Architecture Evolved from the Baroque Period to Now: A Survey of Classical Architecture, Part IV

More examples

  • Moving the entire library is a colossal task.
  • Ignoring those warnings was a colossal mistake.
  • Colossal statues stand on either side of the entrance.

Forms

colossal

colossally adverb — To an extremely great degree.

Similar words

enormous
Broadly describes extreme size or amount, without suggesting monumental scale.
huge
More informal and common for size, amount, or importance.
gigantic
Usually emphasizes immense physical size rather than degree.