English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj Uncommon

monstrous

MONST-ruhs
Quiz me More like this

Monstrous (adj) means Shockingly evil or cruel. Example: “The crimes committed were monstrous beyond words.”

adj
1
Shockingly evil or cruel.
"The crimes committed were monstrous beyond words."
2
Extremely, almost unbelievably large.
"A monstrous wave crashed over the sea wall."

How to use monstrous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither horrifyingly cruel, or huge to a shocking degree.

Common pairings
a monstrous crime a monstrous size
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like monstrous.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Comparative
more monstrous
Superlative
most monstrous
Test yourself on “monstrous” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crimes committed were _____ beyond words.

Etymology

From Old French monstrueuse, ultimately from Latin monstrosus — from the same root as "monster."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for monstrous

See all rhymes for monstrous →

Frequently asked questions

What does “monstrous” mean?
The word “monstrous” means shockingly evil or cruel. In plain terms, either horrifyingly cruel, or huge to a shocking degree.
How do you pronounce “monstrous”?
“Monstrous” is pronounced MONST-ruhs (/ˈmɑnstɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “monstrous” in a sentence?
Here is “monstrous” used in a sentence: “The crimes committed were monstrous beyond words.”
What part of speech is “monstrous”?
“Monstrous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “monstrous” come from?
The word “monstrous” comes from Latin. From Old French monstrueuse, ultimately from Latin monstrosus — from the same root as "monster.".
Is “monstrous” a common word?
“Monstrous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “monstrous” have?
“Monstrous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shockingly evil or cruel.

People also searched