monster
MONS-tuh
Monster (noun) means a frightening, dangerous creature, often imaginary or mythical. Example: “The children swore a monster lived under the bed.”
noun
1
A frightening, dangerous creature, often imaginary or mythical.
"The children swore a monster lived under the bed."
"In the film, the monster terrorized the small coastal town."
"In the old legend, a huge monster guarded the cave beneath the mountain."
2
A cruel, heartless person, especially one who commits terrible acts.
"The press branded the killer a monster."
"Anyone who could abandon a helpless child like that is a monster."
"The villagers called the cruel landlord a monster because he showed no pity."
adj
1
Extremely large or impressive.
"They scored a monster hit with their debut single."
"We ordered a monster pizza that took three of us to finish."
"The shop had a monster sale this weekend, and the queue stretched down the street."
How to use monster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA terrifying creature — or, more loosely, either a cruel person or something unusually huge.
Common pairings
a scary monster
a monster hit
act like a monster
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Word forms
- Plural
- monsters
- Third person singular
- monsters
- Past tense
- monstered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children swore a _____ lived under the bed.
Etymology
From Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum — originally something viewed as an omen or warning sign, later "a freakish creature."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “monster” mean?
The word “monster” means a frightening, dangerous creature, often imaginary or mythical. In plain terms, a terrifying creature — or, more loosely, either a cruel person or something unusually huge.
How do you pronounce “monster”?
“Monster” is pronounced MONS-tuh (/ˈmɑnstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “monster” in a sentence?
Here is “monster” used in a sentence: “The children swore a monster lived under the bed.”
What part of speech is “monster”?
Depending on how it is used, “monster” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “monster” come from?
The word “monster” comes from Latin. From Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum — originally something viewed as an omen or warning sign, later "a freakish creature.".
Is “monster” a common word?
“Monster” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “monster” have?
“Monster” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a frightening, dangerous creature, often imaginary or mythical.
What is the difference between a monster and a beast?
A monster is usually imaginary, frightening, and unnatural — think dragons, vampires, or creatures from myth. A beast is more often a real animal, especially a large or wild one, though it can suggest savagery too. In short, monsters tend to be supernatural inventions, while beasts are grounded in the animal world.
What is an example of a monster?
Classic examples come from myth and folklore: dragons, vampires, werewolves, ogres, sea serpents, and the many-headed Hydra. Modern stories add zombies, aliens, and Godzilla-style giants. What unites them is that they are frightening, dangerous, and larger than ordinary life, whether drawn from ancient legend or invented for film and fiction.
Is monster always a negative word?
Usually, but not always. In its core sense a monster is something fearsome or cruel, and calling a person a monster is a strong condemnation. Informally, though, it can mean impressively big or powerful — a monster wave, a monster hit — and in that use it carries admiration rather than horror.
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