Commodious vs. Voluminous — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
Commodious refers to having ample space, providing room and comfort; Voluminous describes having great volume, quantity, or extent, often used for large amounts of writing or fabric.
Difference Between Commodious and Voluminous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Commodious and Voluminous, while both relating to size and space, differ in their applications and nuances. Commodious is used to describe places or objects that have ample space and provide convenience and comfort. It implies not just size but also the efficient use of space to accommodate needs effectively. Voluminous, however, primarily emphasizes the sheer amount or extent of something, be it material, writing, or other entities. It denotes abundance and extensiveness but does not inherently imply convenience or comfort.
Commodious generally relates to the physical space within buildings, rooms, or objects, indicating their suitability to accommodate people or things comfortably. It reflects a harmonious balance between size and utility, suggesting practicality and convenience in the available space. Voluminous, in contrast, has a wider range of applications, including describing the extent of writings, the amount of fabric, or any extensive quantity. It underscores the magnitude and abundance of something without necessarily emphasizing its utility or suitability.
While commodious implies practicality and user-friendliness in the design and arrangement of space, emphasizing ease of use and comfort, voluminous is neutral with respect to practicality or usability. It only denotes abundance and extensiveness, whether it is the volume of writings, the mass of fabric, or any other entity, without suggesting any level of practicality or user-friendliness in that abundance.
Commodious often conveys a positive connotation, indicating that the space or object is not only large but also well-designed to meet the needs and provide comfort. It suggests a thoughtful arrangement of space that enhances user experience. On the other hand, voluminous does not inherently carry positive or negative connotations; it neutrally describes the abundance or extent of something, leaving any judgment on its practicality or usability to context.
In conclusion, commodious is about the combination of space and convenience, focusing on practicality and comfort in accommodation, while voluminous emphasizes the sheer amount, extent, or abundance of something, without reference to its practicality or user-friendliness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Having ample space; providing comfort.
Having great volume, quantity, or extent.
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adjective
Contextual Usage
Spaces, buildings, objects.
Writings, fabric, amounts.
Connotative Nuance
Comfort, convenience, practicality.
Abundance, extensiveness, magnitude.
Synonyms
Spacious, roomy.
Copious, abundant.
Compare with Definitions
Commodious
Offering ease of use with ample space.
The commodious design of the bag made it a favorite among travelers.
Voluminous
Having produced a large amount of work.
The voluminous author had written over fifty novels.
Commodious
Having plenty of room; spacious.
The commodious apartment was perfect for hosting gatherings.
Voluminous
Characterized by a great volume; abundant.
The library had a voluminous collection of manuscripts.
Commodious
Well-designed to accommodate needs.
The commodious layout of the house allowed for easy movement.
Voluminous
Occupying or containing much space; extensive.
She wore a voluminous gown that flowed beautifully as she moved.
Commodious
Generously proportioned; ample.
The commodious desk had enough space for all his gadgets.
Voluminous
Of clothing, having much fabric; loose or full.
His voluminous cloak billowed in the wind.
Commodious
Providing comfort and convenience.
The car’s commodious interior made the long journey enjoyable.
Voluminous
Having great volume or size
A voluminous trunk.
A voluminous cloud.
Commodious
Spacious; roomy
"I told them that I wished to rent a furnished house not too near the town, commodious enough to allow for two separate suites of rooms" (Jean Rhys).
Voluminous
Filling or capable of filling a large volume or many volumes
The voluminous court record of the trial.
Commodious
(Archaic) Suitable; handy.
Voluminous
Speaking or writing in great amounts or at great length
A voluminous talker.
Commodious
(obsolete) Advantageous; profitable.
Voluminous
(Archaic) Having many coils; winding.
Commodious
Comfortable, free from hardship.
Voluminous
Of or pertaining to volume or volumes.
Commodious
Spacious and convenient; roomy and comfortable.
Our house is much more commodious than our old apartment.
Voluminous
Consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions.
Commodious
Convenient, useful; serviceable.
Voluminous
Of great volume, or bulk; large.
Commodious
Adapted to its use or purpose, or to wants and necessities; serviceable; spacious and convenient; roomy and comfortable; as, a commodious house.
The haven was not commodious to winter in.
Voluminous
Having written much, or produced many volumes
A voluminous writer
Commodious
Large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense);
A commodious harbor
A commodious building suitable for conventions
Voluminous
Of or pertaining to volume or volumes.
Voluminous
Consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions.
But ended foul in many a scaly fold,Voluminous and vast.
Over which dusky draperies are hanging, and voluminous curtains have long since fallen.
Voluminous
Of great volume, or bulk; large.
Voluminous
Having written much, or produced many volumes; copious; diffuse; as, a voluminous writer.
Voluminous
Large in volume or bulk;
A voluminous skirt
Voluminous
Large in number or quantity (especially of discourse);
She took copious notes
Extensive press coverage
A subject of voluminous legislation
Voluminous
Having a large capacity or bulk.
The voluminous storage room could hold countless boxes.
Common Curiosities
Can Voluminous refer to the amount of work someone has done?
Yes, voluminous can describe a large amount of work, especially writing, produced by someone.
Does Commodious imply comfort and convenience?
Yes, commodious implies not just ample space but also comfort and convenience in accommodation.
Is Voluminous used to describe clothing?
Yes, voluminous can describe clothing that has a lot of fabric, is loose, or full.
Does Commodious always refer to physical space?
Predominantly, yes, but it can also describe anything providing comfort and convenience due to ample space or thoughtful design.
Does Commodious have a positive connotation?
Generally, yes, commodious usually conveys a positive sense of comfort and ample, well-designed space.
Is Voluminous neutral with respect to practicality?
Yes, voluminous denotes abundance or extent without implying practicality or usability.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.