1
Core quality
Exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
Example
Compiling the archive was a monumental undertaking.
monumental
/ˌmɒnjʊˈmentəl/ · mon-yuh-MEN-tuladjective
Exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
Use monumental to express this relationship precisely: exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
What monumental Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The discovery was monumental for the study of early migration.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Restoring the vast mural required monumental effort.
Use monumental Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Compiling the archive was a monumental undertaking.
The discovery was monumental for the study of early migration.
Restoring the vast mural required monumental effort.
Precision Matters
Monumental overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
monumental
vs.Means exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
trivial
Means of little importance or consequence.
monumental
vs.Means exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
modest
Means limited or moderate in size, amount, ambition, or importance; also, not boastful about oneself.
monumental
vs.Means exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
nominal
Means existing in name or official title only rather than in reality; also, very small or token in amount.
monumental
vs.Means exceptionally great in scale, difficulty, importance, or lasting significance.
momentous
Means very important or significant.
Test monumental in Context
The achievement was exceptionally large and important.
1
Decoding the thousands of damaged tablets was a ___ achievement that transformed the field.