Etymology Map
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Gigantic

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means of very great size

Where does the word "gigantic" come from? It comes from Greek gigas, passing through Latin before entering English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gigas
Greek · ancient
"giant"
from Greek 'gigas'
2
Stage 2 of 3
giganteus
Latin · ancient
"giant-like"
Latin adjective 'of the giants'
3
Stage 3 of 3
gigantic
English · 1610s
"like a giant"
'gigantism' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Gigantic’s story begins in Greek: gigas meant “giant.” From Greek 'gigas'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as giganteus. Latin adjective 'of the giants'. It reached English by 1610s as gigantic. 'gigantism' dates from the 1800s. Today, gigantic means of very great size.