noun
enormity
ih-NAW-mih-tee
Enormity (noun) means the great scale or seriousness of something, especially something shocking or overwhelming. Example: “It took days for the enormity of the disaster to sink in.”
noun
1
The great scale or seriousness of something, especially something shocking or overwhelming.
"It took days for the enormity of the disaster to sink in."
"She was struck by the enormity of the task ahead of her."
How to use enormity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow huge, serious, or overwhelming something is — often used for shocking or weighty situations.
Common mistake
Traditionally "enormity" implied moral outrage or wickedness, not just size — many careful writers still avoid using it as a plain synonym for "enormous size." Use "enormousness" or "immensity" if you just mean "very big."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the enormity of the situation
realize the enormity
enormity of the task
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Word forms
- Plural
- enormities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took days for the _____ of the disaster to sink in.
Etymology
From Latin enormitas, "irregularity," from enormis, "outside the norm".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for enormity
See all rhymes for enormity →Frequently asked questions
What does “enormity” mean?
The word “enormity” means the great scale or seriousness of something, especially something shocking or overwhelming. In plain terms, how huge, serious, or overwhelming something is — often used for shocking or weighty situations.
How do you pronounce “enormity”?
“Enormity” is pronounced ih-NAW-mih-tee (/ɪˈnoɹmɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “enormity” in a sentence?
Here is “enormity” used in a sentence: “It took days for the enormity of the disaster to sink in.”
What is another word for “enormity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enormity” include oddness, weirdness, depravity and immorality.
What part of speech is “enormity”?
“Enormity” is a noun.
Where does the word “enormity” come from?
The word “enormity” comes from Latin. From Latin enormitas, "irregularity," from enormis, "outside the norm".
