considerable
Considerable means something is large enough to be important or noticeable.
Explanation at your level:
You use considerable when you want to say something is big. If you have a considerable number of apples, you have many apples. It is a fancy way to say 'a lot'.
Use considerable to describe things that are important. For example, 'The house is a considerable distance from the city.' It means it is quite far away.
In this level, you can use considerable to talk about effort or money. 'She spent a considerable amount of time studying.' It shows you understand that the time was significant.
At this level, you should notice the nuance. Considerable implies a subjective judgment—it's not just a number, it's a number that matters in the context of the sentence.
Advanced learners use considerable to add weight to their arguments. It is excellent for academic writing where you need to describe significant trends or data sets that have a measurable impact.
At the mastery level, consider the etymological roots. Considerable implies that the subject is 'worthy of consideration.' In literature, it can be used to describe someone's status or influence, suggesting they have a 'considerable' reputation.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means large in size or amount.
- Implies the size is significant.
- More formal than 'big'.
- Do not confuse with 'considerate'.
When we use the word considerable, we are talking about scale. It isn't just 'big'; it's big enough to matter. If you have a considerable amount of homework, it means you have enough that you really need to get started right away.
Think of it as a bridge between 'some' and 'massive.' It suggests that the quantity or quality of the subject is significant. Whether it's a considerable distance or a considerable sum of money, the word tells the listener that the value is high enough to have a real effect on the situation.
The word considerable comes from the Latin word considerare, which originally meant to observe the stars. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to look at carefully' or 'to think about.'
By the 16th century, the word shifted to mean 'worthy of being considered.' If something was considerable, it was important enough to be thought about. Eventually, this sense of 'importance' morphed into the modern usage of 'large size or amount,' because things that are big are naturally more worthy of our attention.
You will mostly hear considerable in formal or semi-formal settings, like news reports, academic essays, or professional emails. It sounds more precise than just saying 'a lot' or 'big.'
Commonly, it is paired with nouns related to time, money, or effort. For example, 'a considerable amount of time' is a very common phrase. It is rarely used in casual, slang-heavy conversation because it carries a slightly elevated tone.
While 'considerable' itself isn't the base of many idioms, it appears in phrases like a considerable sum (a lot of money), a considerable distance (a long way), a considerable effort (a lot of hard work), a considerable improvement (a big change for the better), and a considerable delay (a long wait).
Considerable is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun. It is pronounced /kənˈsɪdərəbl/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the second syllable.
A common mistake is confusing it with 'considerate,' which means being kind to others. Remember: considerable is about size, considerate is about people.
Fun Fact
It originally had nothing to do with size, only with careful observation.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'kun-SID-er-uh-bull'
Sounds like 'kun-SID-er-uh-bull'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'er' as 'ar'
- Dropping the 'bl' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context
Requires careful usage
Sounds formal
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
The considerable house.
Articles with adjectives
A considerable amount.
Attributive adjectives
Considerable effort.
Examples by Level
I have a considerable amount of work.
I have a lot of work.
Adjective + noun.
It is a considerable distance.
It is a long way.
Adjective + noun.
He has considerable money.
He has a lot of money.
Adjective + noun.
She has a considerable talent.
She is very talented.
Adjective + noun.
The delay was considerable.
The wait was very long.
Adjective after verb.
We saw a considerable change.
We saw a big change.
Adjective + noun.
The house is of considerable size.
The house is very big.
Prepositional phrase.
There was a considerable crowd.
There were many people.
Adjective + noun.
The project required a considerable amount of effort.
He has a considerable collection of stamps.
The storm caused considerable damage.
There is a considerable difference between them.
She has a considerable influence on the team.
The cost is a considerable burden.
We faced a considerable challenge.
He has a considerable amount of experience.
The company reported a considerable increase in sales.
There is a considerable risk involved in this plan.
She has a considerable talent for music.
The town has a considerable history.
We have a considerable number of options.
His recovery took a considerable time.
They made a considerable contribution to charity.
The building has a considerable architectural value.
The proposal has met with considerable opposition.
There is a considerable body of evidence to support this.
She possesses a considerable degree of patience.
The impact on the environment is quite considerable.
He has a considerable reputation in the field.
There is a considerable margin for error.
The temperature difference is considerable.
They have a considerable amount of resources at their disposal.
The candidate has a considerable breadth of knowledge.
The policy shift had a considerable ripple effect.
His work has gained considerable critical acclaim.
There is a considerable disparity in wealth.
She showed a considerable amount of foresight.
The project requires a considerable investment of time.
The influence of the movement is considerable.
There is a considerable overlap in their research.
The artist's influence on the movement is considered quite considerable.
There is a considerable weight of tradition behind these rituals.
The complexity of the task is considerable, to say the least.
The author's prose style is of considerable merit.
The historical significance of this site is considerable.
The sheer scale of the operation is considerable.
There is a considerable degree of nuance in her argument.
The potential for growth is, by all accounts, considerable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"a considerable sum"
a large amount of money
He donated a considerable sum to the charity.
formal"a considerable distance"
very far
We traveled a considerable distance today.
neutral"a considerable degree of"
a large amount of a quality
She showed a considerable degree of patience.
formal"a considerable wait"
a long time waiting
There was a considerable wait at the airport.
neutral"a considerable improvement"
a big change for the better
This is a considerable improvement over the last version.
neutral"a considerable challenge"
a very difficult task
Learning this language is a considerable challenge.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Considerate = kind, Considerable = size
He is considerate. The cost is considerable.
Similar meaning
Substantial is more physical/solid
A substantial meal.
Similar meaning
Significant is more about importance
A significant event.
Similar meaning
Large is very general
A large box.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + considerable
The cost is considerable.
A + considerable + noun
A considerable amount of time.
Subject + has + considerable + noun
He has considerable experience.
There is + a + considerable + noun
There is a considerable difference.
Subject + requires + a + considerable + noun
It requires a considerable effort.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Considerable is for size/amount; considerate is for personality.
Considerable is an adjective, not an adverb.
Considerable implies a large or significant scale.
Common spelling/meaning confusion.
It is an attributive adjective.
Tips
The 'Able' Trick
If it is 'able' to be considered, it's big enough to notice.
Business English
Use this instead of 'a lot' in emails to sound more professional.
Academic Tone
Professors love this word in essays.
Adjective placement
Always put it before the noun.
The 'er' sound
Keep it soft and short.
Don't confuse with considerate
Considerable = Size, Considerate = Kind.
Starry Origins
It comes from looking at stars!
Contextual Learning
Read news articles to see it in action.
Avoid Redundancy
Don't say 'very considerable'.
Pausing
Use it to emphasize a big point.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Consider-able: If you consider it able to be measured, it's considerable!
Visual Association
A giant mountain that you have to 'consider' before climbing.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use the word 'considerable' three times today in formal writing.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To observe the stars
Cultural Context
None.
Used in business and academic contexts to sound professional.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- considerable progress
- considerable investment
- considerable experience
In school
- considerable amount of work
- considerable research
- considerable effort
Travel
- considerable distance
- considerable delay
- considerable time
Finance
- considerable sum
- considerable profit
- considerable risk
Conversation Starters
"What is a considerable challenge you have faced?"
"Have you ever spent a considerable amount of time on a hobby?"
"Do you think there is a considerable difference between living in a city and a village?"
"What is a considerable improvement you have made lately?"
"Do you have a considerable collection of anything?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you put a considerable amount of effort into something.
Write about a considerable change in your life.
If you had a considerable sum of money, what would you do?
Is there a considerable distance between where you live and where you work?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is similar, but 'considerable' implies that the size is important or significant.
No, use 'considerate' for kind people.
Yes, it is more formal than 'big' or 'a lot'.
No, that is 'considerate'.
It is redundant; 'considerable' already implies a high degree.
Considerably.
Occasionally, but mostly in professional or serious contexts.
kən-SID-er-uh-bull.
Test Yourself
He has a ___ amount of money.
Considerable means a large amount.
Which sentence is correct?
Considerate describes a person's kindness.
Considerable means very small.
It means large or significant.
Word
Meaning
Distinguishing between the two words.
We made a considerable effort.
The ___ of the task was surprising.
Needs a noun here.
Which is an antonym for considerable?
Negligible means too small to matter.
Considerable is an adverb.
It is an adjective.
The ___ of the evidence is undeniable.
Adjective modifying evidence.
Word
Meaning
Vocabulary matching.
Score: /10
Summary
Considerable means an amount that is large enough to matter.
- Means large in size or amount.
- Implies the size is significant.
- More formal than 'big'.
- Do not confuse with 'considerate'.
The 'Able' Trick
If it is 'able' to be considered, it's big enough to notice.
Business English
Use this instead of 'a lot' in emails to sound more professional.
Academic Tone
Professors love this word in essays.
Adjective placement
Always put it before the noun.
Example
He spent a considerable amount of time fixing the broken bicycle.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More Other words
abate
C1To become less intense, active, or severe, or to reduce the amount or degree of something. It is most commonly used to describe the subsiding of natural phenomena, emotions, or legal nuisances.
abcarndom
C1To intentionally deviate from a fixed sequence or established pattern in favor of a randomized or non-linear approach. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to describe the process of breaking a structured flow to achieve a more varied result.
abcenthood
C1The state, condition, or period of being absent, particularly in a role where one's presence is expected or required. It often refers to a prolonged or systemic lack of participation in a social, parental, or professional capacity.
abcitless
C1A noun referring to the state of being devoid of essential logical progression or a fundamental missing component within a theoretical framework. It describes a specific type of structural absence that renders a system or argument incomplete.
abcognacy
C1The state of being unaware or lacking knowledge about a specific subject, situation, or fact. It describes a condition of non-recognition or a gap in cognitive awareness, often used in technical or specialized academic contexts.
abdocion
C1Describing a movement, force, or logical process that leads away from a central axis or established standard. It is primarily used in specialized technical contexts to describe muscles pulling a limb away from the body or ideas that diverge from a main thesis.
abdocly
C1Describing something that is tucked away, recessed, or occurring in a hidden manner that is not immediately visible to the observer. It is primarily used in technical or academic contexts to denote structural elements or biological processes that are concealed within a larger system.
aberration
B2A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. It refers to a temporary change or a deviation from the standard path or rule.
abfacible
C1To systematically strip or remove the external surface or facade of a structure or material for analysis, restoration, or cleaning. It specifically refers to the technical act of uncovering underlying layers while preserving the integrity of the core material.
abfactency
C1Describing a quality or state of being fundamentally disconnected from empirical facts or objective reality. It is typically used to characterize arguments or theories that are logically consistent within themselves but have no basis in actual evidence. This term highlights a sophisticated departure from what is observable in favor of what is purely speculative.
