What does jumbo mean?
Jumbo is an informal word for something exceptionally large, particularly something noticeably bigger than other examples of its kind. It functions most commonly as an adjective, as in “a jumbo jet,” “jumbo shrimp,” or “a jumbo portion,” and can also be used as a noun for an unusually large person, object, animal, or serving. The word is especially common in North American English, although it is also understood and used in British English. Its scale is often conspicuously large rather than merely large, and its tone can range from practical and promotional to humorous. Jumbo entered ordinary English through the name of a celebrated African elephant whose immense size made it widely known. From that name, the word developed into a general term for things of exceptional size. Today it remains informal rather than formal, but it is versatile, memorable, and useful when the degree of largeness deserves emphasis.
Exceptionally large, especially larger than usual or standard for its kind.
"The restaurant serves a jumbo breakfast that includes eggs, toast, pancakes, and fruit."
Informal; often used in commercial, conversational, and humorous contexts.
An unusually large person, object, animal, or serving.
"The old stadium was a jumbo, but the new one is even larger."
Informal and usually somewhat emphatic or humorous. The common noun is pluralized as “jumbos”; the historical proper name Jumbo is not pluralized in this way.
The plural “jumbos” is used for multiple unusually large people, objects, animals, or servings. The proper name Jumbo, referring to the historical elephant, is not normally pluralized.
"The warehouse was filled with jumbos of every shape and size."
Before “jumbo” meant huge, it was the name of the elephant whose legendary size made “extra-large” part of everyday English.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jumbo come from?
The modern word entered English through the name of the celebrated African elephant Jumbo, whose enormous size made it famous during the 19th century. The elephant's name is commonly connected with Swahili jambo, meaning “big,” although the precise origin of the name is not entirely certain. By the late 19th century, “jumbo” was being used independently as a general word for anything exceptionally large.
Related word forms
How jumbo is actually used
Jumbo is informal and conversational. The adjective is especially common in North American English, while British speakers also use it for exceptionally large things, aircraft, portions, and products. As a noun, it is more conversational still and may sound humorous or exaggerated.
Easily confused with jumbo
Jumbo means exceptionally large, whereas gumbo is a thick stew containing okra, seafood, meat, or other ingredients.