First Known Use: 1585
Dictionary
1vast
adjective \ˈvast\
: very great in size, amount, or extent
Full Definition of VAST
: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range <vast knowledge> <a vast expanse>
— vast·ly adverb
— vast·ness \ˈvas(t)-nəs\ noun
See vast defined for English-language learners
See vast defined for kids
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Origin of VAST
Latin vastus; akin to Old High German wuosti empty, desolate, Old Irish fás
Related to VAST
- Synonyms
- astronomical (also astronomic), Brobdingnagian, bumper, colossal, cosmic (also cosmical), cyclopean, elephantine, enormous, galactic, gargantuan, giant, gigantesque, gigantic, grand, herculean, heroic (also heroical), Himalayan, humongous (also humungous), immense, jumbo, king-size (or king-sized), leviathan, mammoth, massive, mega, mighty, monster, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, oceanic, pharaonic, planetary, prodigious, super, super-duper, supersize, supersized, titanic, tremendous, huge, vasty, walloping, whacking, whopping
- Antonyms
- bantam, bitty, diminutive, infinitesimal, Lilliputian, little bitty, micro, microminiature, microscopic (also microscopical), midget, miniature, minuscule, minute, pocket, pygmy, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, wee
Synonym Discussion of VAST
enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large. enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness <an enormous expense> <an immense shopping mall>. huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount <incurred a huge debt>. vast usually suggests immensity of extent <the vast Russian steppes>. gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind <a gigantic sports stadium>. colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions <a colossal statue of Lincoln>. mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk <a mammoth boulder>.
2vast
noun
Definition of VAST
: a boundless space <the vast of heaven — John Milton>
First Known Use of VAST
1604
VAST Defined for Kids
vast
adjective \ˈvast\
Definition of VAST for Kids
: very great in size or amount <vast stretches of land> <She has vast experience.>
— vast·ly adverb
— vast·ness noun
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