What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monstrous
Example
The monstrous waves crashed against the shore, causing damage to the pier. [monstrous: adjective]
Example
The serial killer's monstrous acts of violence left the community in shock. [monstrous: adjective]
enormous
Example
The enormous elephant towered over the other animals at the zoo. [enormous: adjective]
Example
The project required an enormous amount of time and resources to complete. [enormous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enormous is more commonly used than monstrous in everyday language. Enormous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while monstrous is less common and may be considered more formal or literary in tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between monstrous and enormous?
While monstrous may be considered more formal or literary in tone, enormous is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.