titanic

/tai'tænik/

Thân thiện

The titanic waves crashed against the rocky coastline.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of great force or power; gigantic, colossal: Used to describe something possessing immense strength, size, or power, often to an awe-inspiring or overwhelming degree.
   • (Chemistry) Of or containing titanium: Relating to the chemical element titanium, especially in compounds with a valence of four.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (immense size/power):

  • The titanic waves crashed against the shore during the storm.
  • They faced the titanic challenge of rebuilding the city after the earthquake.
  • The company's growth over the decade was nothing short of titanic.

• Adjective (chemistry):

  • Titanic oxide is a common compound of titanium. (Note: More commonly known as titanium dioxide).

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The adjective is often used metaphorically to emphasize the scale, difficulty, or impact of abstract concepts like efforts, struggles, or achievements, not just physical size.
  • The titanic effort of the research team led to a groundbreaking discovery.
• It can carry a connotation of something formidable, monumental, or heroic, sometimes with a slightly literary or dramatic tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Titan (noun): A person or thing of very great strength, intellect, or importance. (e.g., )
• Titanium (noun): The strong, lightweight metallic chemical element (symbol Ti).

Synonyms

• Colossal
• Gigantic
• Monumental
• Immense
• Herculean (especially for efforts)

Notes on Usage

• The word is famously associated with the British passenger ship RMS Titanic, whose name was chosen to signify its vast size and grandeur. When capitalized ("Titanic"), it almost exclusively refers to this ship or related topics (e.g., ).
• In modern general usage, "titanic" is less common than synonyms like "gigantic" or "massive," but it is preferred for a more powerful or epic emphasis.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of great force or power