Very large, powerful, or impressive in size, amount, or effect.
From Latin *tremendus* “to be trembled at, fearful,” from *tremere* “to tremble.” It originally suggested something so great it caused fear, then shifted toward simply “very great.”
The word once meant “so huge it makes you shake with fear,” but now we use it for compliments like “tremendous job.” English often tames scary words over time, turning terror into praise.
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