Prodigious

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /pɹəˈdɪd͡ʒəs/

Definitions

1. Very large or impressive in size, amount, or degree ; exceptionally great or extraordinary in skill or talent
2. Of enormous or remarkable size or extent ; outstanding or notable for exceptional ability or achievement
3. Huge in scale or intensity, far beyond the usual ; displaying remarkable talent or power that surprises or amazes

Etymology: The most striking twist in "prodigious" is that it once meant something close to "ominous." Its Latin ancestor "prōdigiōsus" described strange, unnatural events, and the word in English first appeared in the late Middle Ages with the sense "warning of disaster, portentous." Only later did it shift toward sheer size and wonder. The Latin root is "prōdigium," a sign or omen, which in turn combines "prō-," meaning forward or before, with "aiō," meaning to say or speak. A prodigium was literally something spoken in advance: a portent sent to announce what was coming, often a warning from the gods. Roman writers used the noun for both dreadful omens and marvels, and the same double quality, awe mixed with unease, carried into the adjective. In English the word is built more simply. It is formed from "prodigy" plus the suffix "-ous," so a prodigy's wonder became a quality that could describe anything astonishingly great.

Synonyms: extraordinary, remarkable, phenomenal, impressive, gigantic

Antonyms: ordinary, unremarkable, insignificant, common, mediocre