Immense

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Immense

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

ih-MENS  /ɪˈmɛns/

Definition

Extremely large in size, extent, or quantity; very great; impossible to measure.

Plain meaning

Immense means extremely large or vast. An immense mountain range stretches for hundreds of kilometres. An immense fortune is one beyond ordinary comprehension. An immense relief is an overwhelming one. The word suggests scale that is very difficult or impossible to measure precisely — not just big but beyond ordinary measures.

Register

Neutral to slightly elevated. Immense is more formal than huge or enormous. It is used in both literal (immense physical scale) and figurative (immense significance) contexts. The word conveys genuine scale rather than mere exaggeration.