monstrosity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Critical
Quick answer
What does “monstrosity” mean?
Something that is outrageously or offensively ugly, unnatural, or shocking in appearance or character.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something that is outrageously or offensively ugly, unnatural, or shocking in appearance or character.
An object, building, or idea that is considered hideous, absurdly large, or morally repugnant. Can also refer to a grossly malformed creature or thing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slight preference in UK for architectural criticism.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties. Connotes moral/ aesthetic outrage.
Frequency
Low-frequency, formal word in both. Comparable usage frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “monstrosity” in a Sentence
[adjective] + monstrositymonstrosity + of + [noun]consider/view/regard + as + a monstrosityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monstrosity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form. Use 'monster' as verb rarely.)
American English
- (No standard verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form. Use 'monstrously'.) The building was monstrously ugly.
American English
- (No standard adverb form. Use 'monstrously'.) The plan was monstrously inefficient.
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form. Use 'monstrous'.) The proposal was monstrous in its complexity.
American English
- (No standard adjective form. Use 'monstrous'.) The traffic jam was monstrous.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used critically for overly complex systems: 'The new compliance software is a bureaucratic monstrosity.'
Academic
Used in art/architecture criticism, ethics, and biology (for malformations).
Everyday
Hyperbolic criticism of ugly buildings, fashion, or ideas: 'That new shopping centre is a monstrosity.'
Technical
In biology/medicine, for severe congenital malformations (technical synonym for 'teratoma' context).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monstrosity”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monstrosity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monstrosity”
- Using it for people (pejorative) instead of things/abstractions. *'He is a monstrosity.' (Incorrect) vs. 'His idea was a moral monstrosity.' (Correct)
- Misspelling: *monstrocity, *monstrosety.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is very rare and highly offensive to call a person a 'monstrosity'. It is typically used for objects, buildings, ideas, or abstract concepts (e.g., a moral monstrosity). For a cruel person, use 'monster'.
'Monster' usually refers to a mythical or frightening creature, or a cruel person. 'Monstrosity' emphasizes the quality of being monstrously ugly, absurd, or shocking, often applied to non-living things.
No, it's a low-frequency, formal word used for strong criticism or technical description. In everyday speech, people might use 'eyesore', 'disaster', or 'abomination' instead.
Yes. It can describe something morally repugnant (a moral monstrosity) or something absurdly complex (a bureaucratic monstrosity), extending beyond physical appearance.
Something that is outrageously or offensively ugly, unnatural, or shocking in appearance or character.
Monstrosity is usually formal, literary, critical in register.
Monstrosity: in British English it is pronounced /mɒnˈstrɒs.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːnˈstrɑː.sə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A monstrosity of nature”
- “A bureaucratic monstrosity”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MONSTER sitting in a CITY – a 'monstrosity' is something so ugly or wrong it's like a monster in your surroundings.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORALITY/UGLINESS IS A MONSTER (A bad thing is a physical monster).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'monstrosity' LEAST appropriate?