1 prodigious | Definition of prodigious

prodigious

adjective
pro·​di·​gious | \ prÉ™-ˈdi-jÉ™s How to pronounce prodigious (audio) \

Definition of prodigious

1 : causing amazement or wonder
2 : extraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree : enormous
3a : resembling or befitting a prodigy : strange, unusual
b obsolete : being an omen : portentous

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Other Words from prodigious

prodigiously adverb
prodigiousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for prodigious

monstrous, prodigious, tremendous, stupendous mean extremely impressive. monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness. the monstrous waste of the project prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size). made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe. the tremendous roar of the cataract stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description. a stupendous volcanic eruption

Examples of prodigious in a Sentence

Graceful afield and afoot in his youth, he bullied into a prodigious slugger in his final years. — Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2003 She had what was known in those days as a hollow leg, meaning she was able to drink prodigious amounts of liquor without getting drunk, or so she thought. Vanity Fair, July 2000 … Isaac [Newton] was allowed to resume at Grantham and go on to Cambridge, where … he was to remain for nearly thirty-five secluded, prodigious years. — John Updike, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 1998 stage magicians performing prodigious feats for rapt audiences a prodigious supply of canned food kept in the basement for emergencies
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Recent Examples on the Web

Li’nard’s Many Moods, fronted by a prodigious bassist named Li’nard Jackson, was playing. Dan Piepenbring, The New Yorker, "The Book of Prince," 2 Sep. 2019 Like Williamson, Lawrence has prodigious physical gifts that manifest during games as overqualification. Robert O'connell, The Atlantic, "Why Is Trevor Lawrence Playing College Football?," 29 Aug. 2019 The entrance hall of one elegant home features the welcoming image of the fertility god Priapus, weighing his prodigious membrum virile on a scale like a prize-winning zucchini. Chiara Goia, Smithsonian, "The New Treasures of Pompeii," 21 Aug. 2019 The figures so far establish O'Rourke and Sanders as the two most prodigious fundraisers out of the gate and could set up a clash between the two. oregonlive, "Beto O’Rourke raises $6.1 million in 24 hours," 18 Mar. 2019 Behind his prodigious arm talent, Indiana sweeps its nonconference schedule without much trouble. Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana football: Best- and worst-case scenario for 2019," 27 Aug. 2019 For four centuries, Spain’s prodigious naval power built an empire that stretched around the globe. Amy Crawford, Smithsonian, "Why Spain Is Seeking to Catalog All of Its Historic Shipwrecks," 23 Aug. 2019 The year 2014 was prodigious for designer Kathryn Fagin. Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "A designer creates her dream home. (And it can withstand young kids.)," 25 July 2019 Vocal quality is prodigious, especially from the two leading characters Tony (Brandon Taylor Jones) and Maria (Erica Baldwin). Daily Pilot, "On Theater: A heart-throbbing ‘West Side’ revival," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prodigious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of prodigious

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

History and Etymology for prodigious

see prodigy

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More Definitions for prodigious

prodigious

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of prodigious

formal
: amazing or wonderful : very impressive
: very big

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