monster

[mon-ster]

noun

1. a nonhuman creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people.

2. any creature grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.

3. a person who provokes or elicits horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc.

   Synonyms: miscreant, devil, demon, brute, fiend

4. any animal or thing huge in size.

5. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx.

6. Biology.

   1. an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure, as from marked malformation or the absence of certain parts or organs.

   2. a grossly anomalous fetus or infant, especially one that is not viable.

7. anything unnatural or monstrous.

adjective

1. huge; enormous; monstrous.

   a monster tree.

monster

/ ˈmɒnstə /

noun

1. an imaginary beast, such as a centaur, usually made up of various animal or human parts

2. a person, animal, or plant with a marked structural deformity

3. a cruel, wicked, or inhuman person

4. 1. a very large person, animal, or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a monster cake

verb

1. informal,  to criticize (a person or group) severely

2. sport to use intimidating tactics against (an opponent)

Other Word Forms

• monsterlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monster¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English monstre, from Latin mōnstrum “portent, unnatural event, monster,” from mon(ēre) “to warn” + -strum, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of monster¹

C13: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum portent, from monēre to warn

Idioms and Phrases

see green-eyed monster.

Example Sentences

Slash would go on to write the music for six Halloween Horror Nights houses centered around Universal’s classic monster characters.

From Los Angeles Times

There are still shots that are going to be dropped in that monster fight on the roof, the fight in the clock tower.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Hawkins said: "Life couldn't get any worse... and then they said this about us, and we just feel like these complete, utter monsters."

From BBC

He has great affection for monsters and is known for humanising them in his films, evoking sympathy from the audience for characters previously seen as villains.

From BBC

Apparently Japan’s beloved cartoon superhero from another galaxy battles giant monsters and alien invaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behemoth 
• freak 
• giant 
• whale