monstrous

Everyday

1. Very large and frightening, like a monster: «a monstrous wave». tree →
2. Very wrong, cruel or shocking: «a monstrous lie». tree →
3. Ugly and strange in shape. tree →

In the lessons

In stories monstrous creatures and waves bring danger. In ethics and history lessons, a monstrous crime is extremely wicked. In Alice in Wonderland Alice grows to a monstrous size.

Examples

• A monstrous wave crashed over the boat. tree →
• It was a monstrous lie. tree →
• Alice grew to a monstrous size in the little house. tree →
• The giant had monstrous hands. tree →
• The ogre built a monstrous wall round his castle. tree →
• The cruelty of the slave trade was monstrous. tree →
• Wild and shy and monstrous creatures ranged in her plains and forests. tree →

Note

From «monster» + «-ous»; spelling drops the e: monstrous, not «monsterous». Adverb: monstrously.