When it comes to describing something of considerable size, the British have a knack for creativity.
From the everyday “huge” to the more playful “whopper,” the language is peppered with a variety of terms that capture the essence of largeness in all its forms.
Whether you’re talking about a “gargantuan” meal that you couldn’t finish, a “colossal” mistake you’re hoping to forget, or a “mammoth” task at work, there’s no shortage of ways to express the concept of bigness.
This guide dives into some of the most colorful British slang for “big,” giving you a glimpse into the rich variety of expressions at your disposal.
So, if you’re ready to expand your vocabulary and impress with your descriptions of size, let’s get started!
British Slang For Big
Behemoth
“Behemoth” originates from a biblical creature, symbolizing vast size and strength.
In British slang, it’s used to describe anything overwhelmingly large or powerful, from machines to organizations.
The term evokes a sense of awe and sometimes intimidation, highlighting the extraordinary scale or influence of the subject.
Examples in sentences:
- “The new shopping centre is a behemoth compared to the old one.”
- “He drove a behemoth of a truck that overshadowed all the cars.”
- “The multinational corporation was a behemoth in the industry.”
- “Facing the behemoth of a challenge, they pooled their resources.”
- “The latest aircraft carrier is a true behemoth of the seas.”
- “In the realm of smartphones, that model is considered a behemoth for its features.”
- “The ancient tree stood as a behemoth, towering over the forest.”
Brobdingnagian
“Brobdingnagian” is a literary reference to the land of giants in Swift’s novel, symbolizing anything of immense proportions.
It’s a playful yet descriptive way to highlight the extraordinary size of an object or concept, often used to inject humor or grandiosity into the description.
Examples in sentences:
- “The project’s scope was Brobdingnagian, far beyond what we initially imagined.”
- “She had a Brobdingnagian appetite, surprising everyone at the table.”
- “The statue’s Brobdingnagian dimensions made it a landmark.”
- “Faced with a Brobdingnagian decision, he took his time to choose.”
- “The company’s profits saw a Brobdingnagian increase this year.”
- “Their new home was Brobdingnagian, with rooms they never even used.”
- “He tackled the Brobdingnagian puzzle with surprising ease.”
Bulky
“Bulky” describes objects that are not only large in size but also awkward or cumbersome, making them challenging to manage, transport, or store.
It emphasizes the practical difficulties posed by the item’s dimensions and weight, often in everyday contexts.
Examples in sentences:
- “The bulky furniture was a nightmare to move upstairs.”
- “She struggled to navigate the crowd with her bulky backpack.”
- “The bulky package arrived, taking up half the hallway.”
- “Wearing the bulky suit made him appreciate modern lightweight materials.”
- “The old computer models were far too bulky for compact office spaces.”
- “Their bulky winter coats took up most of the closet space.”
- “He opted for a bulky case to protect his phone from drops.”
Bumper
“Bumper” is often used to describe something that is larger or more abundant than expected, typically in a positive context.
It can refer to harvests, profits, or any situation where the size or amount significantly exceeds the norm, suggesting prosperity or success.
Examples in sentences:
- “The farmers celebrated a bumper crop this year.”
- “The charity auction was a bumper success, raising unprecedented funds.”
- “She had a bumper year in sales, topping the company leaderboard.”
- “The movie had a bumper opening weekend at the box office.”
- “After the bumper harvest, the village held a feast.”
- “The magazine’s anniversary issue was a bumper edition, packed with content.”
- “They returned from shopping with a bumper haul of holiday gifts.”
Colossal
“Colossal” is used to describe something of staggering size or extent, often beyond what one normally encounters.
It conveys a sense of awe or admiration for the magnitude of the object or achievement, highlighting its impressive nature.
Examples in sentences:
- “The colossal statue dominated the city’s skyline.”
- “They undertook a colossal project that transformed the landscape.”
- “The effort required to complete the task was colossal.”
- “A colossal amount of time and resources went into the research.”
- “The earthquake caused colossal damage across the region.”
- “His contribution to the field was colossal, shaping its future direction.”
- “The colossal waves during the storm were a sight to behold.”
Enormous
“Enormous” is a straightforward term that conveys a simple yet impactful message about size.
It’s used to describe anything that’s significantly larger than the norm, from physical objects to abstract quantities like profits or distances, emphasizing its impressive or overwhelming nature.
Examples in sentences:
- “The enormous tree towered over the buildings, providing ample shade.”
- “They faced an enormous challenge, but they were ready to tackle it.”
- “The warehouse was enormous, filled with rows upon rows of stock.”
- “Her smile was enormous, reflecting her joy and excitement.”
- “The amount of data collected was enormous, requiring extensive analysis.”
- “He felt an enormous sense of relief when the results were announced.”
- “The project received enormous support from the community.”
Gargantuan
“Gargantuan” suggests a size or magnitude that’s almost mythical, evoking images of giants or colossal beasts.
It’s a vivid term that’s used to express awe or astonishment at the sheer scale of something, often surpassing what one thought possible.
Examples in sentences:
- “The feast was gargantuan, with more food than the guests could possibly eat.”
- “She undertook a gargantuan task, aiming to change the industry standard.”
- “The gargantuan waves were unlike anything the surfers had ever seen.”
- “Their new home was gargantuan, a mansion with countless rooms.”
- “The company’s growth last quarter was gargantuan, breaking all previous records.”
- “Facing the gargantuan mountain, they felt both excited and intimidated.”
- “The novel was gargantuan, spanning several generations and continents.”
Gigantic
“Gigantic” is often used to describe something that’s not just big, but spectacularly so.
This term paints a picture of grandeur and magnitude, whether it’s used to describe physical objects, spaces, or even achievements.
It’s the kind of big that stops you in your tracks.
Examples in sentences:
- “The gigantic statue could be seen from miles away.”
- “They were greeted by a gigantic crowd, cheering loudly.”
- “The effort to organize the event was gigantic, involving hundreds of volunteers.”
- “A gigantic task lay ahead of them, but they were determined.”
- “The tree in the backyard was gigantic, its branches reaching out wide.”
- “The concert’s success was gigantic, far exceeding expectations.”
- “Their new project was of gigantic proportions, aiming to impact millions.”
Ginormous
“Ginormous” is a playful yet emphatic way to state that something is extremely large.
It combines the essence of “gigantic” and “enormous” to create a term that’s both fun to say and effective in conveying size.
It’s often used in casual conversation to express surprise or admiration at the scale of something.
Examples in sentences:
- “The cake they baked was ginormous, towering over the table.”
- “I’ve never seen such a ginormous dog; it was like a small horse!”
- “The turnout for the rally was ginormous, filling the entire park.”
- “They moved into a ginormous house with more rooms than they knew what to do with.”
- “The movie screen was ginormous, making for an immersive viewing experience.”
- “Her new phone’s screen is ginormous, perfect for watching videos.”
- “The pile of laundry seemed ginormous after returning from vacation.”
Hefty
“Hefty” refers to something that’s not only big in size but also in weight or impact.
It suggests a solid, substantial presence, whether talking about physical objects or figures like prices or amounts.
“Hefty” often carries connotations of strength and durability as well.
Examples in sentences:
- “The book was hefty, filled with detailed illustrations and information.”
- “They faced a hefty challenge, but they were up for it.”
- “The door was hefty, made of solid oak and iron hinges.”
- “He lifted the hefty box with ease, thanks to his training.”
- “The fine for parking violations was quite hefty, to everyone’s dismay.”
- “She received a hefty scholarship, covering all her tuition fees.”
- “The investment required a hefty sum, but the returns were promising.”
Huge
“Huge” is a commonly used term to describe something of great size.
It’s versatile, fitting various contexts from physical objects to abstract concepts like success or failure.
The simplicity of “huge” makes it a go-to descriptor for anything impressively large.
Examples in sentences:
- “The building was so huge, it took up an entire block.”
- “They made a huge effort to get the project finished on time.”
- “I can’t believe the huge amount of food at the buffet.”
- “The concert had a huge turnout, with thousands of fans.”
- “She received a huge round of applause for her performance.”
- “The difference this small change made was huge.”
- “He has a huge collection of vintage comic books.”
Hulking
“Hulking” typically refers to something not just big, but also bulky and possibly unwieldy.
It’s often used to describe large objects or people that stand out due to their mass and the space they occupy, sometimes implying a lack of grace or ease in movement.
Examples in sentences:
- “The hulking piece of machinery took up too much space.”
- “A hulking figure emerged from the shadows, intimidating us.”
- “The old sofa was a hulking presence in the small room.”
- “He moved with a hulking gait, his height towering over everyone.”
- “The hulking statue was the centerpiece of the exhibit.”
- “Their hulking luggage made navigating the airport a challenge.”
- “The team’s hulking defensemen were a formidable barrier.”
Humongous
“Humongous” is an informal term that exaggerates the size of something to express its vastness humorously or impressively.
It’s often used in casual speech to emphasize the surprising or overwhelming nature of an object’s or situation’s size.
Examples in sentences:
- “The cake they made for the party was humongous!”
- “We couldn’t believe the humongous size of the crowd.”
- “That truck is absolutely humongous; how do you park it?”
- “They live in a humongous mansion with so many rooms.”
- “The humongous tree in the park is said to be hundreds of years old.”
- “I got a humongous deal at the sale, saving a lot of money.”
- “The amount of homework this weekend is humongous.”
Immense
“Immense” is used to describe something vast or boundless, often exceeding normal expectations.
It conveys a sense of grandeur and magnitude, whether referring to physical size, quantities, or metaphorical extents, such as an immense feeling of joy or an immense pressure.
Examples in sentences:
- “The immense landscape stretched out as far as the eye could see.”
- “She felt an immense sense of relief after the exam was over.”
- “The project posed an immense challenge, but they were determined.”
- “He has an immense talent for music that’s hard to ignore.”
- “The historical significance of the discovery was immense.”
- “They undertook an immense journey, traveling across continents.”
- “The support from the community was immense, exceeding all expectations.”
Jumbo
“Jumbo” refers to items that are significantly larger than typical, offering more in size or quantity.
It’s a term that suggests value and abundance, commonly used in commercial contexts to denote larger-than-average products or portions that promise more of a good thing.
Examples in sentences:
- “We ordered a jumbo pizza, and it was enough to feed the entire group.”
- “The jumbo pack of paper towels was a better deal in the long run.”
- “She prefers using jumbo yarn for her knitting projects.”
- “The kids were thrilled with the jumbo stuffed animals at the fair.”
- “He bought a jumbo screen TV for the ultimate home cinema experience.”
- “The jumbo cup of coffee is her morning ritual to start the day.”
- “They opted for the jumbo size to ensure they had enough for everyone.”
Leviathan
“Leviathan” originally refers to a biblical sea monster, symbolizing something vast and powerful.
In British slang, it’s used to describe anything of immense size or power, from ships to corporations, emphasizing their dominance and awe-inspiring nature.
Examples in sentences:
- “The new cruise ship is a true leviathan, dwarfing all others in the harbor.”
- “Facing the leviathan of bureaucracy, they felt overwhelmed.”
- “The company grew into a leviathan, its influence felt worldwide.”
- “The ancient ruins boasted a leviathan statue, now a mystery to archaeologists.”
- “In the world of tech, a few leviathans dominate the market.”
- “The novel’s antagonist was a leviathan of the seas, terrorizing sailors.”
- “Their latest construction project is a leviathan, set to break records.”
Mammoth
“Mammoth” is a term that evokes the prehistoric woolly mammoths, using their legendary size as a metaphor for anything exceptionally large today.
It’s often used to describe large-scale projects, objects, or challenges, suggesting something formidable and impressive.
Examples in sentences:
- “The task ahead of us was a mammoth one, requiring all hands on deck.”
- “They unearthed a mammoth bone during the excavation.”
- “The charity event was a mammoth success, raising millions.”
- “A mammoth crowd gathered to witness the historic launch.”
- “She tackled the mammoth job of organizing the festival.”
- “The museum’s mammoth exhibit attracted visitors from around the globe.”
- “Facing a mammoth decision, he took his time to consider all options.”
Massive
“Massive” is a straightforward descriptor for something of great size, weight, or extent.
It’s versatile, applicable to physical objects, crowds, achievements, and even impacts.
“Massive” conveys a sense of scale and significance, often with an implication of strength or solidity.
Examples in sentences:
- “The concert attracted a massive audience.”
- “They undertook a massive renovation of the old house.”
- “The project received massive support from the community.”
- “A massive tree fell during the storm, blocking the road.”
- “The team made a massive effort to complete the work on time.”
- “He has a massive collection of rare books.”
- “The earthquake caused massive damage across the city.”
Monster
“Monster” in slang terms often refers to something extraordinary in size, ability, or achievement.
It’s used to describe things that are not just big, but also powerful or impactful, carrying a connotation of being remarkable or outstanding.
Examples in sentences:
- “He caught a monster fish during their trip.”
- “The company is working on a monster deal that could change everything.”
- “She delivered a monster performance, earning standing ovations.”
- “The new gaming console is a monster in terms of processing power.”
- “They faced a monster of a challenge but emerged victorious.”
- “The athlete is considered a monster on the field, unstoppable by opponents.”
- “That burger is a monster; I doubt I can finish it alone!”
Stupendous
“Stupendous” goes beyond mere size to encompass the awe and admiration something inspires.
It’s used for things that are not only big but also marvelous or amazing, often in a way that exceeds expectations or norms.
Examples in sentences:
- “The view from the top was simply stupendous, stretching for miles.”
- “She achieved stupendous success with her first novel.”
- “The effort put into the event was stupendous, making it a night to remember.”
- “They built a stupendous structure that became a new city landmark.”
- “The support from fans has been stupendous, overwhelming the band with gratitude.”
- “Facing stupendous odds, the underdog team pulled off a surprising win.”
- “The collection of art on display was stupendous, featuring works from around the world.”
Titanic
“Titanic” not only refers to the ill-fated ship but is also used to describe anything of enormous size or strength.
The term evokes a sense of grandeur and magnitude, often used to emphasize the overwhelming scale of an object or an endeavor.
Examples in sentences:
- “The project was a titanic effort, spanning several years and continents.”
- “He faced a titanic challenge but remained undeterred.”
- “The titanic statue stood as a testament to the city’s heritage.”
- “Their victory was titanic, surpassing all expectations.”
- “The novel’s scope is titanic, covering generations of history.”
- “A titanic wave crashed onto the shore, stunning all the onlookers.”
- “The debate sparked a titanic clash of opinions among experts.”
Towering
“Towering” is often used to describe something that stands much taller than its surroundings, whether it’s a physical structure or a figurative concept like a towering reputation.
It implies dominance or an imposing presence.
Examples in sentences:
- “The towering skyscrapers define the city’s skyline.”
- “She has a towering intellect that intimidates even the brightest minds.”
- “The mountains were towering over the landscape, majestic and awe-inspiring.”
- “His towering anger was evident to everyone in the room.”
- “A towering figure in the industry, her influence was undeniable.”
- “The tree was towering, casting a large shadow over the garden.”
- “He stood towering above the crowd, easily spotted from afar.”
Vast
“Vast” describes something expansive, covering a large area or encompassing a wide range.
It’s used to convey the immense scope or size of something, often suggesting a space or quantity that’s difficult to fully comprehend or measure.
Examples in sentences:
- “The desert stretched out, vast and unending.”
- “She had a vast knowledge of literature that impressed everyone.”
- “The vast expanse of the ocean was mesmerizing from above.”
- “A vast array of stars filled the night sky, a sight to behold.”
- “The museum’s vast collection included artifacts from ancient civilizations.”
- “They undertook a vast project that would take years to complete.”
- “The vast difference between their skills was evident in the competition.”
Whacking
“Whacking” is a less common but colorful term used to describe something exceptionally large or significant.
It’s often used in a somewhat informal context to express surprise at the size or extent of something.
Examples in sentences:
- “He received a whacking great bill at the end of the month.”
- “The fish they caught was whacking, the biggest of the day.”
- “She lives in a whacking big house on the outskirts of town.”
- “The new TV screen is whacking, taking up most of the wall.”
- “They gave him a whacking big piece of cake for his birthday.”
- “The project required a whacking amount of work to get done.”
- “A whacking storm hit the coast, causing widespread damage.”
Whopper
“Whopper” is a playful term that implies something is not just large, but impressively so.
It’s often used to describe big achievements, lies, or physical objects, carrying a tone of amazement or sometimes skepticism.
Examples in sentences:
- “He told us a whopper about his weekend adventures.”
- “The fisherman boasted of the whopper he caught last summer.”
- “That’s a whopper of a pumpkin you’ve grown!”
- “The movie was a whopper, breaking box office records.”
- “She landed a whopper of a deal with the new client.”
- “The storm brought a whopper of a hail, damaging cars and roofs.”
- “They faced a whopper of a challenge but managed to overcome it.”
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Founder -
@PollyWebster
Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.
Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.
Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.