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vast

vast

721 2.1
Very large in size or amount
  • adjective
  • /væst/
translation icon : inmenso
  • The vast ocean stretches as far as the eye can see.
  • the vast majority
  • a vast expanse
  • a vast array

He's talking about a vast variety of things.

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Examples

  • To do this, they would go West to the vast desert spaces.

  • How much a part of this vast city I felt at that moment.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • And then the world is vast and minute and clear.

  • And it was just vast as the ocean.

  • So the result is human tragedy on a vast scale.

  • Our universe is vast, full of wonders.

  • Think about the vast number of collaborative projects that could be done with this tool!

    Academic text (2011)
  • The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.

  • The map reminds you of the vast distances involved here.

  • I have seen, for example, a vast field with all these trees and vineyards.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

big
vsvast
1.0

Larger than usual in size or amount

implies a more intense extreme largeness beyond everyday bigness
large
vsvast
1.0

Bigger than average in size, number, or amount

connotes a much higher extreme scale than simply above average
huge
vsvast
1.0

Very large in size, amount, or degree

tends to highlight great extent rather than simple bigness
great
vsvast
1.0

Very large in size or number

suggests extreme degree or scale rather than relative largeness
wide
vsvast
1.0

Large in size, amount, or range

emphasizes greatness in overall size or amount rather than width
massive
vsvast
940 2.9

Very large and impressive in scale

focuses more on wide extent and scale rather than heaviness
giant
vsvast
878 1.0

Very large in size

emphasizes great extent or degree not only physical bulk
enormous
vsvast
842 2.1

Very large in size, amount, or effect

is the same idea but used more broadly for extent and degree
tremendous
vsvast
794 3.0

Very large or impressive

leans toward large broad extent rather than showing impressiveness
extensive
vsvast
330 4.1

Large in amount, range, or area

focuses more on sheer scale in size rather than coverage
immense
vsvast
141 3.7

Very large in size, amount, or degree

is nearly identical but stresses great extent often
gigantic
vsvast
139 3.2

Very large, much bigger than normal

focuses on broad area and degree rather than sheer bulk
large-scale
vsvast
65 3.8

Very large and affecting many people or places

is about great size itself rather than organized broad projects
sizable
vsvast
  • US
64 3.7

Quite large in size or amount

indicates a much stronger extreme level of largeness
colossal
vsvast
55 4.7

So large in size or amount that it causes great surprise

is similar but more common for very wide area or scope
untold
vsvast
52 4.8

A very large amount that cannot be counted or measured

indicates great measurable extent rather than uncountable amounts
hefty
vsvast
45 4.1

Being large in amount and often expensive

focuses on great extent or degree rather than weightiness
humongous
vsvast
  • Informal
37 3.6

Very large in size, much bigger than normal

means great size but in standard neutral usage instead
astronomical
vsvast
30 5.6

Very large in amount or size

is similar but used more for wide measurable scale and quantity
boundless
vsvast
27 5.0

Having no limit in size or amount

focuses on great measurable size rather than lacking any limits
expansive
vsvast
26 5.4

Very large and wide, often used for places or plans

leans toward broad physical or conceptual extent rather than ambition
monstrous
vsvast
21 4.5

Very large in size or amount, much bigger than normal

refers to great extent without the negative abnormal tone
gargantuan
vsvast
19 7.3

Very large, much bigger than usual

leans more toward wide extent and scale than impressive bulk
galactic
vsvast
6 6.6

Much larger than normal or expected

means very large but with normal measurable extent instead
mammoth
vsvast
5 3.9

Very large in size or amount

suggests wide or deep extent rather than just great size
9.9

Very large, like something from a story about giants

expresses the same size idea but without literary playfulness

Antonyms

1.0

Not large in size or amount

1.0

So small it can fit in your hand

104 4.1

Not important or too small to matter

Compounds

A very large part of a group that includes almost all members

How Big

immense
141 3.7
vast
721 2.1
large
1.0
medium
162 1.3
small
1.0
tiny
1.0

Surface Forms

vast positive
vaster comparative
vastest superlative

Etymology

Vast comes from the old Latin word vastus, which meant 'empty' or 'waste'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of devastate or waste, words that show making a place empty; that image of a very wide, empty space explains why vast means 'extremely large' today.