ENORMITY Definition & Meaning

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enormity

[ih-nawr-mi-tee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

enormities

outrageous or heinous character; atrociousness.
the enormity of war crimes.
Synonyms: ,
something outrageous or heinous, as an offense.
The bombing of the defenseless population was an enormity beyond belief.
greatness of size, scope, extent, or influence; immensity.
The enormity of such an act of generosity is staggering.
Synonyms: ,

enormity

/ ɪˈ��ɔː��ɪ��ɪ /

noun

the quality or character of being outrageous; extreme wickedness
an act of great wickedness; atrocity
informal��vastness of size or extent

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Usage

In modern English, it is common to talk about the enormity of something such as a task or a problem, but one should not talk about the enormity of an object or area: distribution is a problem because of India's enormous size (not India's enormity )

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Confusables Note

Enormity has been in frequent and continuous use in the sense “immensity” since the 18th century: The enormity of the task was overwhelming. Some hold that enormousness is the correct word in that sense and that enormity can only mean “outrageousness” or “atrociousness”: The enormity of his offenses appalled the public. Enormity occurs regularly in edited writing with the meanings both of great size and of outrageous or horrifying character, behavior, etc. Many people, however, continue to regard enormity in the sense of great size as nonstandard.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of enormity¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English enormite, from Middle French, from Latin ŧ�Դǰ��; enorm, -ty ²

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of enormity¹

C15: from Old French enormite, from Late Latin ŧ�Դǰ�� hugeness; see _enormous

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Still, when he learned that he would be helming the most consequential action sequence in the history of “House of the Dragon,” he took a moment to consider the enormity of the task at hand.

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"It paved the way for the enormity of the 'yes' vote," he said.

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But before then, the Bernabeu will get its chance to applaud him one last time, to give the Italian the send-off that accurately reflects and acknowledges the enormity of his contribution to the club.

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I watched families bury loved ones in a muddy cemetery and was at a loss to convey the enormity of the moment, set against the panorama of geopolitics.

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The turning point for me was a man who started chatting to me and appeared oblivious to the enormity of the situation.

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Related 51�Թ�s

greatness��
immensity��
magnitude��
vastness��

enorm enormous

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