Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| enorme | /eˈnɔr.me/ /eˈnor.me/ |
| grandissimo | /ɡranˈdis.si.mo/ |
| smisurato | /zmi.zuˈra.to/ /zmi.suˈra.to/ |
The primary way to express that something is extremely large is with enorme. If you want to express different nuances of size, you can use gigantesco for gigantic, colossale for colossal or mastodontico for mastodontic.
Which one should you use?
While enorme means enormous, the word grandissimo is the superlative form of grande (big) and is often used to express a very large size in a more emphatic or descriptive way. The word smisurato is used when emphasizing that something is immeasurable or lacks limit, and it is often used for abstract concepts such as immeasurable talent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective enorme becomes enormi in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /eˈnɔr.me/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word enorme comes from the Latin 'e-' meaning 'out of' and 'norma' meaning 'square' or 'rule'. To be 'enormous' originally meant to be literally 'out of line' or deviate from the standard.
- Italian uses the word mastodontico to describe things that are enormous. This word is derived from the 'mastodon', an extinct prehistoric relative of the elephant.
- In Italian, calling someone un grandissimo uomo often refers to their moral greatness or prestige rather than their physical size.
Examples in context
- Ha un appetito enorme.He has an enormous appetite.This sentence shows how to use enorme to describe an appetite.Tatoeba #13824020 by Guybrush88, translation #13824015 by tieguy
- Quella chiesa è enorme.That church is enormous.This sentence uses enorme to describe the size of a church.Tatoeba #11876597 by Guybrush88, translation #9634677 by abburns
- Vive in una casa enorme.He lives in an enormous house.This sentence uses enorme to describe a house.Tatoeba #691730 by Pharamp, translation #295266 by CH
- L'edificio è enormeThe building is enormous
- La torta è immensamente grandeThe cake is enormously big
- Quel palazzo è enorme!That palace is enormous!
- L'evento ha avuto un successo enormeThe event was a huge success
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are looking at a new sculpture in a park.
- MatteoGuarda quella statua, è enorme!Look at that statue, it's enormous!
- SofiaSì, è davvero impressionante.Yes, it is truly impressive.
- MatteoSofia, pensi che sia troppo grande?Sofia, do you think it is too big?
- SofiaNo, è perfetta per questo spazio.No, it is perfect for this space.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enormous” translations and entries enorme, grandissimo, smisurato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enorme, grandissimo, smisurato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
