a colossal fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extremely large amount of wealth or money. Example: "After years of hard work and smart investments, she amassed a colossal fortune that allowed her to retire early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But making a colossal fortune was not enough for him.

The New York Times - Books

His father, Joe, had built a colossal fortune, and wanted to turn his money into power.

The Economist

But to many in Congress, it sounded like spending a colossal fortune to spare rich bankers from the consequences of their recklessness.

The Economist

Revelations that the family of the prime minister, Wen Jiabao, has acquired a colossal fortune during his decade in office have come at a bad time.

The Economist

Inept, he wished to be a colossus, something of a Napoleon himself, make millions, conquer Europe, retrieve from Hitler's fall a colossal fortune.

The New Yorker

That is a colossal fortune, but nowhere near enough to earn him a place on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans you need at least $1.3 billion for that.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Christian's office is in a Seattle skyscraper which he owns, but Ana never asks how he made his colossal fortune, or, indeed, why he bases his wardrobe choices on his surname.

BBC

Dave Dawes said at the press conference that they would try to "do the right things" with their colossal fortune.

The Guardian - Opinion

Best of luck to him and his colossal fortune.

Vice

They also enjoy such perks as free travel on national airlines, free utilities and ownership of prime property.Certainly, most of the Gulf's ruling clans have amassed large, and in some places truly colossal, fortunes.

The Economist

To the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans, who have each reaped colossal fortunes through casino gambling in Connecticut, the process is partial payback for centuries of oppressive and racist treatment by federal authorities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal fortune" to emphasize the sheer size and impressive nature of someone's wealth. It's more impactful than simply saying "a lot of money".

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal fortune" in casual conversations or informal writing. It sounds overly dramatic and out of place when discussing everyday finances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal fortune" functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase correctly describes an extremely large amount of wealth or money. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase being used to describe wealth acquired through various means.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal fortune" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an exceptionally large amount of wealth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its use in various contexts. While perhaps slightly dramatic, its presence in news and media sources suggests a neutral register, although it's best suited to more formal or descriptive writing. The phrase's function is primarily to emphasize the scale and impressiveness of wealth, making it a potent tool for conveying significant financial success. Be mindful of its tone and ensure it aligns with your intended message. While it is not wrong to use it, make sure not to overuse it in casual conversation. Alternative phrases can convey similar meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense wealth

Highlights the scale and magnitude of the wealth.

an enormous amount of wealth

Directly states the large quantity of wealth.

a vast sum of money

Focuses on the monetary aspect, emphasizing the large amount of money involved.

an incredible amount of capital

Emphasizes the financial aspect, focusing on the large quantity of capital.

great riches

Uses a more classic and general term for wealth.

considerable affluence

Highlights the state of being wealthy and prosperous.

a huge inheritance

Specifies the wealth as being received through inheritance.

substantial assets

Focuses on the assets owned, implying significant wealth.

a massive estate

Emphasizes the overall value of one's possessions, especially real estate.

an overflowing coffer

Uses a metaphor to convey a sense of abundance and excessive wealth.

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "a colossal fortune" to describe someone's immense wealth, as in "After winning the lottery, they inherited "a colossal fortune".".

What are some alternatives to saying "a colossal fortune"?

Alternatives include "immense wealth", "a vast sum of money", or "great riches" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a colossal fortune" in formal writing?

Yes, "a colossal fortune" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize the substantial amount of someone's wealth. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it fits the overall message.

What's the difference between "a large fortune" and "a colossal fortune"?

"A large fortune" simply indicates a significant amount of wealth, while "a colossal fortune" suggests an extremely large and impressive amount, emphasizing the scale of the wealth.