Definition: Colossal is an adjective used to describe something extremely large or great, often beyond what is usual or expected.
Etymology & Origin: The term ‘colossal’ is derived from the Latin word ‘colossus,’ which in turn comes from the Greek ‘kolossos,’ referring to statues of enormous size. The word entered the English language in the early 18th century, retaining its connotation of immense scale.
Examples:
- The construction of the Great Wall of China was a colossal undertaking, requiring immense resources and labour over many centuries.
- The concert was a colossal success, drawing a crowd of over 50,000 people.
- The discovery of the colossal dinosaur skeleton amazed the paleontologists and changed their understanding of prehistoric life.
