mammoth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mammoth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely large or massive, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The project was a mammoth undertaking that required the efforts of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lest that sound like faint praise, he quickly qualifies it: earlier this week, in a day trip around Stockholm's record shops, he added 50 singles to his already mammoth Abba collection.

The Guardian - Music

The sad reality was that Dundee United's players were exhausted after such a mammoth effort during the season, with mental tiredness also entering the equation after the events of Hampden Park.

The Guardian - Sport

We spent a blissful, greedy day winding in and out of many of the area's finest, sharing just the one plate of tacos or dividing a burrito (still a mammoth meal) in each.

The Guardian - Travel

If recession in the eurozone leaves the UK in trouble, it should serve as a reminder of the mammoth work yet to be done on rebalancing our economy.

The Guardian - Business

When I started The Vida Consultancy in 2011, my first mammoth challenge was to build from scratch a network of top quality single men and women.

The Guardian

The co-hosts' 417 for six contained three outstanding innings – Warner, with 178, pacing himself and his team before upping the ante in a mammoth second-wicket stand of 260 with Steve Smith, who made 95, after the early wicket of Aaron Finch, and then Glenn Maxwell reaching 88.

The Guardian - Sport

"It wouldn't be an endurance test," said Tarantino of the re-edit's mammoth run time.

The Guardian - Film

The mammoth project of trying to de-weird Ed Miliband seems to require a cast of specially imported advisors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just check the stats: number five on the BBC Sound of 2013 poll, sold-out headline shows in the US, more than 1m YouTube plays on their mammoth single Recover.

The Guardian - Music

Idowu travelled to Daegu, South Korea, as favourite to retain his world title in 2011 but a mammoth effort by Charles Taylor saw the American crowned champion with the Briton second.

The Guardian - Sport

Minaj, who has previously lent her vocal talents to Steffie the mammoth in Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, will play Diaz's opinionated assistant at a law firm – a woman offering relationship advice from the point of view of her third marriage.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure "mammoth" accurately conveys the intended meaning, as it implies not just size but also significance or challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "mammoth" too casually in everyday conversation. While it's a vivid word, overuse can diminish its impact; opt for simpler alternatives like "big" or "huge" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "mammoth" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something of great size, scale, or difficulty. It can also function as a noun, referring to the extinct animal or something of immense size. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "mammoth" is a versatile word used to describe something exceptionally large, significant, or challenging. As an adjective, it emphasizes scale, while as a noun, it refers to the extinct animal or something of similar size. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and widespread usage across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business sectors. While grammatically sound, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. "Mammoth" provides a powerful way to convey the magnitude of an idea or object, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely large

Focuses specifically on the size aspect, omitting any implication of complexity or effort.

exceptionally huge

Emphasizes the unusual degree of hugeness, adding a layer of surprise.

remarkably gigantic

Highlights the noticeable and striking nature of its size, adding a sense of wonder.

considerable

Indicates a substantial amount or degree, applicable when 'mammoth' refers to quantity or impact.

substantial

Similar to 'considerable', implying a significant amount or size, suitable for formal contexts.

extensive

Suggests a wide scope or range, useful when 'mammoth' refers to something that covers a large area or involves many elements.

colossal

Implies an immense size or scale, often used to describe projects or undertakings.

massive

Focuses on sheer bulk and weight, suitable when describing physical objects or large-scale operations.

enormous

A general term for very large size, less formal than 'colossal' but stronger than 'large'.

tremendous

Emphasizes the impressive quality of the size or scale, often used to describe efforts or achievements.

FAQs

How can I use "mammoth" in a sentence?

You can use "mammoth" to describe something extremely large or substantial, such as "The company undertook a "mammoth project"" or "The task was a "mammoth undertaking"".

What are some synonyms for "mammoth"?

Some synonyms for "mammoth" include "huge", "gigantic", "colossal", and "enormous". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "mammoth" in formal writing?

Yes, "mammoth" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize the exceptional size or scale of something. However, ensure it fits the tone and doesn't sound overly dramatic.

Which is correct, "a mammoth task" or "an mammoth task"?

The correct phrase is "a "mammoth task"". Since "mammoth" begins with a consonant sound, the indefinite article "a" is used.