gigantic number

USAGE SUMMARY

"gigantic number" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large or overwhelming quantity or amount. Here is an example sentence: "The cost of the project was a gigantic number, far beyond our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"There was a gigantic number of attempts to get through," Mr. Zimmer said.

The New York Times

She added that the company moves 15.8 million packages a day, on average, which is obviously a gigantic number.

The New York Times

And also just the gigantic number of Republicans who have turned out to see you, the enthusiasm level.

The Washington Post

At first sight that weakens its control of advertisers, but Aho Williamson sees potential benefit in reaching the gigantic number of clients who already use Google.

The Guardian - Tech

The longlist for the most lucrative award for writing in English has been announced, with an appropriately gigantic number of contenders.

The Guardian - Books

That's a gigantic number, but it falls short of the £23.75m earned by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on its opening weekend in July 2011.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They don't have to sell at big margins, nor produce phones in gigantic numbers, to realise their ambitions.

The Guardian - Tech

Scott Boras, Damon's agent, loves to analyze numbers and then unfurl them to help his clients score gigantic numbers for free-agent contracts.

The New York Times - Sports

Our own war felt like immensely long and tedious stretches of "And now for something completely different!" with people dying in gigantic numbers but mostly somewhere else.

The New Yorker

These rely upon the factorization of gigantic numbers into primes a factorization that the code's user knows and the potential code-breaker does not.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though Kyocera of Japan and the super-expensive Vertu offer sapphire screens, neither makes them in the gigantic numbers that Apple does for its iPhone.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gigantic number", ensure the context clearly supports the use of such an emphatic term. Reserve it for truly large and impactful quantities to avoid hyperbole.

Common error

Avoid using "gigantic number" for quantities that are merely large but not exceptionally so. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gigantic number" functions as a noun phrase, where "gigantic" is an adjective modifying the noun "number". Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gigantic number" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a very large quantity. As Ludwig confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it’s also present in scientific discourse. When using "gigantic number", be mindful of the context and reserve it for genuinely large amounts to avoid weakening its impact. Consider alternatives such as "huge quantity" or "vast amount" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astronomical figure

Emphasizes the extremely large and almost incomprehensible size of the number.

huge quantity

Focuses on the sheer amount, less about the individual count.

uncountable multitude

Implies a number so large it is impossible to count.

vast amount

Emphasizes the extensiveness or scope of the quantity.

tremendous amount

Highlights the great extent or degree of the quantity.

large volume

Implies a substantial amount, often in terms of capacity or space.

considerable quantity

Formal and neutral alternative, emphasizing a notable amount.

massive scale

Focuses on the overall size or extent of something.

significant figure

Highlights the importance of the number, not just its size.

substantial sum

Specifically refers to a large amount of money.

FAQs

How can I use "gigantic number" in a sentence?

You can use "gigantic number" to describe a very large quantity or amount. For example: "The project resulted in a "gigantic number" of unforeseen expenses."

What's a good alternative to "gigantic number"?

Alternatives include "huge quantity", "large volume", or "vast amount", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gigantic number" formal or informal?

"Gigantic number" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "significant figure".

What makes "astronomical figure" different from "gigantic number"?

Astronomical figure specifically implies that the number is so large it's almost incomprehensible, similar to the vastness of space. "Gigantic number" simply means very large without necessarily implying incomprehensibility.