vast

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unusually large, wide, deep, or extensive. For example, "The vast expanse of the desert stretched out before us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vast majority of these decisions face no public scrutiny, though they shape public discourse.

The Guardian - Tech

He would abolish the income tax for the vast bulk of Americans and replace the revenue with a 12.5 percent value-added tax.

The New York Times

Sensing further instability, the vast majority of Greeks – led by the business sector – have urged the government to compromise, according to polls.

The Guardian

Sweaty, musical, melodramatic and political, Cairo Station stars ballsy writer-director Youssef Chahine as a homicidal newspaper seller in Cairo's vast railway station.

The Guardian - Film

There is also a telephone to which only the band's ex-members have the number: if it rings and a museum-goer picks it up, they will find themselves in the disconcerting position of holding a conversation with one of Abba while standing in front of a vast floor-to ceiling photograph of Abba.

The Guardian - Music

XKeyscore An NSA program that allows analysts to search vast databases of emails, online chats and browsing histories of millions of individuals, with no prior authorisation.

The Guardian

"There are a vast number of demands for change behind the scenes placed on any club following promotion to the Premier League, and we have to ensure we meet those demands in time for next season.

The Guardian - Sport

An insufficient number of police were deployed to Mare Street and Clarence Road, offering futile attempts to contain the anger of a vast number of youths, the source of which remains unknown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whenever the topic of the vast – and constantly expanding – wealth gap comes up for debate, it seems as if someone is always itching for the opportunity to resurrect those words, culminating in Fitzgerald's observation that the wealthy "think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are".

The Guardian - Money

· He tapped the country's vast wealth from gas for outlandish projects including a huge manmade lake in the Kara Kum desert, a vast cypress forest to change the desert climate, an ice palace outside the capital, a ski resort and a 130ft pyramid.

The Guardian

He declared himself delighted with his preparations, and this performance was a vast improvement on his dismal defeat by Lleyton Hewitt at Queen's last week.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast" to emphasize the impressive scale or extent of something, whether tangible or intangible. For example, "the vast amount of data" or "the vast potential of this technology".

Common error

While "vast" is a strong adjective, avoid overusing it. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "immense", "extensive", or "considerable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "vast" primarily functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the great size, extent, or amount of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to describe both physical spaces and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "vast" is a powerful descriptor used to emphasize the immense size, extent, or amount of something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "immense" and "extensive" exist, "vast" often conveys a more overwhelming or impressive scale. Remember to use "vast" judiciously to avoid overuse, and vary your vocabulary to maintain engaging and precise writing. Be sure to emphasize the impressive scale or extent of something when using the term, whether tangible or intangible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense

A more formal synonym emphasizing scale or degree.

extensive

Focuses on the reach or scope of something.

huge

A more informal and general term for large size.

enormous

Implies exceeding the normal or expected size.

considerable

Highlights the significance or importance of the amount or size.

substantial

Emphasizes the solid or real nature of the amount or size.

gigantic

Suggests an exceptionally large size, often beyond normal proportions.

tremendous

Conveys a sense of awe or impressiveness due to the size or scale.

large-scale

Highlights the extent of an operation or system.

wide-ranging

Focuses on the diverse elements included within the whole.

FAQs

How to use "vast" in a sentence?

The adjective "vast" is used to describe something that is very large or wide, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The Sahara desert is a "vast" expanse" or "There is a "vast" difference between their opinions".

What can I say instead of "vast"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "immense", "extensive", "huge", or "enormous".

Is it correct to say "vast majority"?

Yes, "vast majority" is a common and accepted phrase to describe a very large portion of something. It emphasizes that the majority is not just slight, but significantly large.

What's the difference between "vast" and "large"?

"Large" simply indicates a significant size. "Vast" implies a size that is so great as to be almost overwhelming or impressive. The term "vast" is more emphatic.