Reading Theme:
Monster: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：scary creature (monster)
monster
/ˈmɑːnstər/
n.
a scary, make-believe creature that is often big and ugly.
scary creature
➕
/ˈskeri ˈkriːtʃər/
n.
A frightening imaginary being, typically large and unattractive, often found in myths, stories, or films.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'monstrum' meaning omen or portent, evolving to denote terrifying imaginary beings.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a MONster that STEReotypically scares people in stories.
📖 Example
The child hid behind the sofa when the monster appeared on the movie screen.
The child was so frightened by the monster on screen that he hid behind the sofa.
🔗 Collocations
sea monster – a mythical creature that lives in the ocean
monster movie – a film featuring terrifying creatures
create a monster – to make something that becomes uncontrollable or harmful
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
monstrous (adj.) – extremely and dreadfully large or ugly
📖 Cultural Story
Monster comes from Latin 'monstrum', referring to divine signs or portents, often ominous. It shifted to describe mythical creatures in folklore and later fictional horrors in modern media like films.
Meaning 2：very large thing (monster)
monster
/ˈmɑːnstər/
n.
something that is very big in size or amount.
very large thing
➕
/ˈveri lɑːrdʒ θɪŋ/
n.
Something that is exceptionally big in physical dimensions or quantity, often used informally to emphasize size.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
They drove a monster of a truck to move all the furniture to their new house.
They used an extremely large truck to transport their belongings to the new residence.
🔗 Collocations
monster truck – a pickup truck with extremely large wheels, used for shows or competitions
monster size – an exceptionally large dimension
monster wave – a huge ocean wave, especially in surfing
🔄 Synonyms
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