tremendous

Definitions

From Latin tremendus, 'to be trembled at' (trem 'tremble' + the gerundive ending -nd- 'worthy of being'). Literally: something so awesome and terrible it makes you shake. As the dread faded, only the sheer scale stayed ('enormous'), and then — like 'terrific' — the word flipped to a compliment: a tremendous show. The shaking meaning is now gone entirely.

Why It Means This

Tremendous is a fear-word that became a praise-word. Latin tremendus described something so terrifying it made you tremble. Over time the terror drained out, leaving first the size ('enormous') and then pure enthusiasm ('wonderful'), exactly the path 'terrific' took. Today it has no menace at all.

Common Collocations

• 1.tremendous pressure巨大的压力
• 2.tremendous success巨大的成功
• 3.tremendous effort巨大的努力
• 4.tremendous impact深远的影响
• 5.tremendous amount极大的数量

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She was under tremendous pressure to finish the project on time.

• 2.

  The new policy had a tremendous impact on small businesses.

• 3.

  They put in a tremendous amount of effort and finally succeeded.

• 4.

  That was a tremendous performance — the whole crowd was on its feet.

Synonym Comparison