monolithic
/ˌmɒn.əˈlɪθ.ɪk/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Very large, solid, and made from one block or part. It can also describe something huge and fixed, with no clear differences inside it.
- The building looked monolithic in the fog.
- They faced a monolithic wall of stone.
- The company became a monolithic structure.
Adinary Nuance
Monolithic is stronger than big or large. It suggests one solid, heavy thing, or a system that feels rigid and hard to change. Writers often choose it when they want to show size plus lack of flexibility. It is more formal and more visual than huge or massive.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đồ sộ
- Spanish
- monolítico
- Chinese
- 巨石般的
- Japanese
- 単一の巨大な
- Korean
- 거대한 덩어리의
Etymology
From Greek monolithos, meaning 'single stone'. English started using it in the 19th century for stone objects, then for large, rigid systems.
Common phrases
monolithic structuremonolithic buildingmonolithic systema monolithic block
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is monolithic a positive word?
- Usually no. It often suggests something too big, rigid, or unchanging.
- Can I use monolithic for people?
- Not usually. It is more common for buildings, systems, groups, or organizations.
- Is monolithic formal?
- Yes, it is more formal than everyday words like big or huge.
- What is the difference between monolithic and massive?
- Massive means very large. Monolithic also suggests one solid block or a rigid system.