vast

1 of 2

adjective

: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range
vast knowledge
a vast expanse
vastness noun

vast

2 of 2

noun

: a boundless space
the vast of heavenJohn Milton
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of vast in a Sentence

Adjective She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject. The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens. a vast expanse of land
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
There’s vast latitude in science for disagreement and debate, but calling one’s adversaries or critics criminals or traitors, or placing them in the same category as Mengele, Eichmann and Pol Pot? Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Not one to squander an opportunity to educate herself, and use her vast platform to educate others, Winfrey, 70, sought to explore timely issues surrounding the use of popular drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro for weight loss. Elizabeth Leonard, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 The Japanese stock market, bolstered by bullishness in the economy and corporate reforms that favor shareholders, has attracted vast sums of money from investors around the world, recently helping the Nikkei 225 index break a record high that had stood since 1989. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Like the vast majority of California divorces, Grande’s petition cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 As part of the deal, Iran did get access to tens of billions of dollars in assets — but the vast majority of those assets are Iran’s own money. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 That’s far less than the vast majority of Americans pay. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The vast majority of viewers — 28.47 million — watched the State of the Union on the big four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) and the three largest cable news outlets (CNN, Fox News and MSNBC). Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, prosecutors conceded that the defense had not been given time to review the vast disclosure of new evidence and moved to dismiss the case. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin vāstus or vastus "devoid of habitation, desolate, dreary," also, "of great size, immense," probably in part continuing Indo-European *h1u̯eh2-sto- (whence Old High German wuosti "empty, deserted," Old English wēste, Old Irish fás), in part conflated with another base *wast- of uncertain origin

Noun

noun derivative of vast entry 1, perhaps by analogy with deep entry 1, deep entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vast was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near vast

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vast. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vast

adjective
ˈvast
: very great in extent, size, amount, degree, or intensity
a vast stretch of desert
vast knowledge
vastly adverb
vastness
ˈvas(t)-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vast

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