the word 'tremendous' originates from the latin verb tremere, meaning 'to tremble or quake with fear'. the latin adjective tremendus was formed from this root, meaning 'to be trembled at, fearful, dreadful', functioning as a gerundive expressing necessity or fitness. this sense of inspiring awe or terror due to overwhelming scale or power was carried into english in the early 17th century. over time, the negative connotation of dread weakened, leaving the core idea of being so extraordinarily large or powerful as to be awe-inspiring, which then further broadened to describe anything perceived as extraordinarily good or impressive.

Structure: trem (to tremble) + end + ous (adjective suffix) trem is from latin tremere, meaning 'to tremble, quake'. end is a latin suffix forming adjectives. ous is an english suffix forming adjectives, from latin -osus, meaning 'full of'.