gigantesque

English

Etymology

From French, from Italian gigantesco, ultimately from Ancient Greek γίγᾱς (gígās, “giant”). Compare giga-, giant.

Adjective

gigantesque (comparative more gigantesque, superlative most gigantesque)

1. Very large; like a giant; gigantic.
   • 1911, G. K. Chesterton, “The Invisible Man”, in The Innocence of Father Brown:

     As Smythe took the handles and they turned the great corner of the street, Angus was amused to see a gigantesque poster of “Smythe’s Silent Service,” with a picture of a huge headless iron doll, carrying a saucepan with the legend, “A Cook Who is Never Cross.”

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:large

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian gigantesco.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʒi.ɡɑ̃.tɛsk/

• Audio:

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Adjective

gigantesque (plural gigantesques)

1. gigantic

Related terms

• géant

Further reading

• “gigantesque”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012