monster
C1Informal, literary, journalistic; also technical in biology (e.g., 'sea monster').
Definition
Meaning
A large, frightening, and often imaginary creature; a person or thing of great size, power, or cruelty.
Informal: something extraordinarily large or successful (e.g., a monster truck). Something that is monstrous, i.e., shockingly wrong or evil.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core sense is pejorative (frightening, evil). Extended, informal sense can be hyperbolic and sometimes admiring (e.g., 'a monster hit').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'monster' as noun, verb, and informal adjective. Slight preference in US for 'monster' as an informal adjective meaning 'huge' (monster sale).
Connotations
Largely identical. The mythological/literary 'monster' (Frankenstein's monster) is culturally shared.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Informal adjectival use ('monster truck', 'monster wave') may be slightly more prevalent in US media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + monster: create, become, fight, slay, fearADJ + monster: horrible, hideous, imaginary, realmonster + VERB: lurk, attack, growl, destroyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The green-eyed monster (jealousy)”
- “A monster of your own making”
- “Feed the monster (to make a problem worse)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The project turned into a real monster, consuming all our resources."
Academic
"The treatise examines the 'monster' as a cultural construct in Gothic literature."
Everyday
"Don't be such a monster and give your sister back her toy!"
Technical
"The genetic mutation resulted in a developmental monster." (biology, dated)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He monstered his opponent in the debate, leaving no argument unchallenged.
American English
- The linebacker monstered the quarterback for a huge loss on the play.
adjective
British English
- They faced a monster challenge in rebuilding after the flood.
American English
- The studio is releasing a monster sequel to last year's blockbuster.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child was afraid there was a monster under the bed.
- In the story, the hero must defeat the terrible monster.
- The corruption scandal revealed a true monster within the government.
- The film was a monster at the box office, grossing over a billion dollars.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MONstrous S TERrier dog – a huge, scary beast.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE MONSTERS (e.g., 'taming the inflation monster'), IMMORALITY IS MONSTROUS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'монстр' (direct cognate, correct). Beware of 'чудовище' which is more 'horrific creature/monstrosity' and less used for 'huge success'. Avoid using 'монстр' for a very talented person; Russian 'монстр' is almost exclusively negative.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'monster' as a neutral term for a large animal (use 'giant' or 'beast'). Incorrect: 'We saw a monster elephant.' Better: 'We saw a gigantic elephant.' Overusing the informal adjective: 'a monster good time' is non-standard.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'monster' used in a positive or admiring way?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but informally and often in specific contexts like sports or music (e.g., 'He's a monster on the guitar'), implying awe-inspiring, almost superhuman ability.
It is an idiom, coined by Shakespeare, meaning jealousy.
Yes, in informal contexts to mean a huge, daunting, or difficult problem.
'Monster' implies unnaturalness, often ugliness and malevolence, and can be imaginary. 'Beast' is more natural, referring to a large animal, and can imply savagery or lack of control, but not necessarily evil.