PRODIGIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does prodigious mean? 

• PRODIGIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective PRODIGIOUS has 3 senses:

1. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

2. of momentous or ominous significance

3. far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

  Familiarity information: PRODIGIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRODIGIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

So great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

Synonyms:

colossal; prodigious; stupendous

Context example:

stupendous demand

Similar:

big; large (above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

Derivation:

prodigy (an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of momentous or ominous significance

Synonyms:

portentous; prodigious

Context example:

a prodigious vision

Similar:

important; significant (important in effect or meaning)

Derivation:

prodigy (a sign of something about to happen)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

Synonyms:

exceeding; exceptional; olympian; prodigious; surpassing

Context example:

the young Mozart's prodigious talents

Similar:

extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)

 Context examples 

His face, in relation to the rest of him, was prodigious.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I bought one for her the other day, and it was pronounced to be a prodigious bargain by every lady who saw it.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I felt my box raised very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Again I could not but notice his prodigious strength.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Hawkins, I put prodigious faith in you,” added the squire.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Yes, the expense of such an undertaking would be prodigious!

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

"Norland is a prodigious beautiful place, is not it?" added Miss Steele.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

She leaned against me, so light and lily-frail, and as her trembling eased away it seemed as though I became aware of prodigious strength.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Oh! yes,” said Elizabeth drily; “Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Do all your successes depend upon this prodigious power of bluff?

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)