vast

1 of 3

adjective

ˈvast How to pronounce vast (audio)
Synonyms of vast
: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range
vast knowledge
a vast expanse
vastness
ˈvas(t)-nəs How to pronounce vast (audio)
noun

vast

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a boundless space
… the vast of heaven …—John Milton

vastness

3 of 3

noun (2)

vast·​ness -s(t)nə̇s How to pronounce vastness (audio)
plural -es
1
: the quality or state of being vast
2
: a vast expanse or region
watching the vastnesses of the mountains unfold

Synonyms of vast

Relevance

Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for vast

enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large.

enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

Examples of vast in a Sentence

Adjective She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject. The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens. a vast expanse of land
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
What matters is whether AI penetrates core operations and redesigns workflows (depth), and whether that transformation extends beyond superstar firms into the vast sectors that dominate employment and GDP (breadth). — Ming Lu, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 The vast forest includes parts of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, Summit, Rio Blanco, Mesa, Gunnison, Routt and Moffat counties. — The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Its infrastructure, which carries rich resources across vast desert terrain, leaves it an easy target for the cheaper one-way drones developed by the Houthis. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 The deal leaves untouched the vast majority of Brussels’ $1 billion-a-day trade deficit with Beijing. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vast

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin vāstus or vastus "devoid of habitation, desolate, dreary," also, "of great size, immense," probably in part continuing Indo-European *h1u̯eh2-sto- (whence Old High German wuosti "empty, deserted," Old English wēste, Old Irish fás), in part conflated with another base *wast- of uncertain origin

Noun (1)

noun derivative of vast entry 1, perhaps by analogy with deep entry 1, deep entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vast was in 1585

Rhymes for vast

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Browse Nearby Words

vassar tan
vast
vastation
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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vast. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vast

adjective
ˈvast
: very great in extent, size, amount, degree, or intensity
a vast stretch of desert
vast knowledge
vastly adverb
vastness
ˈvas(t)-nəs
noun
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