VocabDictionary

jumbo

/ˈdʒʌm.boʊ/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Very large in size; of much greater than average dimensions.

Example Sentences:
  • She ordered a jumbo bag of popcorn to share with her friends at the cinema.
  • The supermarket is offering special discounts on jumbo eggs this week.
2.noun

A person, animal, or object that is exceptionally large of its kind.

Example Sentences:
  • That pumpkin is a real jumbo; it must weigh over two hundred pounds.
  • The airline added a new jumbo to its transatlantic fleet.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “jumbo”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the name of Jumbo, a famously large African elephant brought to the London Zoo in 1865 and later purchased by P.T. Barnum for his circus. The elephant's name itself is believed to originate from a West African word, possibly the Swahili words 'jambo' (hello) or 'jumbe' (chief), or the Kongo word 'nzamba' (elephant). The immense popularity and size of the animal made 'jumbo' a household word synonymous with 'exceptionally large'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a giant JUMBO jet carrying a JUMBO-sized elephant named Jumbo across the sky.

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “jumbo

1. What is the meaning of “jumbo” in English?

In English, jumbo (adjective) is defined as: “Very large in size; of much greater than average dimensions.”.

2. How do you use “jumbo” in a sentence?

She ordered a jumbo bag of popcorn to share with her friends at the cinema.

3. What are English synonyms of “jumbo”?

Common synonyms include:gigantic,colossal,massive,enormous,immense

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “jumbo”?

Derived from the name of Jumbo, a famously large African elephant brought to the London Zoo in 1865 and later purchased by P.T. Barnum for his circus. The elephant's name itself is believed to originate from a West African word, possibly the Swahili words 'jambo' (hello) or 'jumbe' (chief), or the Kongo word 'nzamba' (elephant). The immense popularity and size of the animal made 'jumbo' a household word synonymous with 'exceptionally large'.