English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adjective Uncommon

jumbo

JUHM-boh

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Jumbo (adjective) means Very large, especially compared to the usual size. Example: “They ordered a jumbo pizza for the party.”

adjective

1

Very large, especially compared to the usual size.

"They ordered a jumbo pizza for the party."

"She bought a jumbo pack of paper towels from the warehouse store."

noun

1

Informal: a very large aircraft, especially one used for long-haul flights (short for "jumbo jet").

"The jumbo touched down after a fourteen-hour flight."

How to use jumbo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething oversized — bigger than the normal or standard version.

Common pairings

jumbo size jumbo jet jumbo shrimp

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: jumbos

Test yourself on “jumbo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They ordered a _____ pizza for the party.

Etymology

From Jumbo, the name of a famous, enormous African elephant bought by showman P. T. Barnum in 1882 for his circus.

· First attested 1882

Class of 1882 jumbo joined the language around 1882.

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Synonyms

giant gargantuan elephantine

Antonyms

modest small

Related words

small large limited grand minor giant vast monster

Rhymes for jumbo

gumbo dumbo Trumbo Columbo

See all rhymes for jumbo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “jumbo” mean?

The word “jumbo” means very large, especially compared to the usual size. In plain terms, something oversized — bigger than the normal or standard version.

How do you pronounce “jumbo”?

“Jumbo” is pronounced JUHM-boh (/ˈd͡ʒʌmboʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “jumbo” in a sentence?

Here is “jumbo” used in a sentence: “They ordered a jumbo pizza for the party.”

What part of speech is “jumbo”?

Depending on how it is used, “jumbo” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “jumbo” come from?

The word “jumbo” dates back to around 1882. From Jumbo, the name of a famous, enormous African elephant bought by showman P. T. Barnum in 1882 for his circus.

Is “jumbo” a common word?

“Jumbo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “jumbo” have?

“Jumbo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very large, especially compared to the usual size.

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