WordGarden.ioimmense
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪmˈɛns/
US
- /ˌɪˈmɛns/
Meanings
Adjective
extremely large in physical size, extent, or amount
extremely great in degree, force, importance, or effect
Beyond the definition
When something is immense, it's not just big, it's extremely large and hard to take in all at once. Think of the power of a hurricane or the size of space. It goes beyond being simply large and can feel almost endless.
You might describe an ocean as immense, or the amount of effort needed for a difficult task. Sometimes "immense" is also used for feelings, like immense joy or immense sadness. If you've ever stood at the foot of a mountain range, you've likely felt small beside its immense scale. It comes from the Latin word immensus, meaning "unmeasured."
The word "immense" describes something that is extraordinarily large in size, extent, or degree. It's more than just big; it suggests a vastness that's difficult to fully comprehend. For example: "The immense popularity of the band led to sold-out concerts around the world," or "They faced an immense challenge in rebuilding after the earthquake."
Immense isn't limited to physical size. It can also describe abstract qualities like feelings, emotions, or impact. You might say, "She felt an immense sense of relief when she heard the news," or "The discovery had an immense influence on scientific thought."
Think about the ocean—it's not just large; its vastness is almost overwhelming, stretching beyond what you can see. Or consider the night sky filled with countless stars—an immense and awe-inspiring sight. It's a word that evokes a sense of scale and grandeur.
While "large" or "big" simply describe size, "immense" implies something truly exceptional and almost boundless. It's a powerful descriptor used to emphasize the sheer magnitude of something—whether it be physical, emotional, or conceptual.
Examples
- 1
Visual size
From the boat, the glacier looked immense.
- 2
Time spent
We spent an immense amount of time fixing a problem that turned out to be very small.
- Patternan immense amount of + noun
a very large amount of it
- 3
Work pressure
Young doctors often work under immense pressure.
- Phraseunder immense pressure
in a very stressful situation
- 4
Patience
She has shown immense patience with her students.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public support
There was immense public support for the new law.
- 6
Public health
Clean water is of immense importance to public health.
- Patternof immense importance to + person/thing
extremely important for them/it
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- immenseadjective