enormity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'enormity' is both correct and widely used in English writing.
It is typically used to describe something vast in a negative manner, such as an 'enormity of destruction' caused by a natural disaster.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the prime minister's ability to relax can cause problems, such as when last year's riots intruded upon his summer holiday in Tuscany and he was slow to realise the enormity of the situation.

The Guardian

But this town is full of people like me, all trying to land a deal or come up with the next big idea, and the enormity of what I'm trying to do seems to have finally hit home.

The Guardian - Film

"Seismic events happened yesterday and if he [Blatter] can't see the enormity of what has happened and resign, then to be on that body would be futile," said Gill. "I don't think that is right for me, and more importantly, I don't think that's right for Uefa and football".

The Guardian - Sport

The enormity of the second leg was evident when 19,962 supporters crammed into the two sides of Molineux that were open - the corresponding league fixture in February had seen a paltry 3,357 turn up - yet for the majority of the crowd it would be a night of despair.

The Guardian - Sport

"At first I was very angry," says Bhya. "I was at an age that I couldn't understand the enormity of what had happened.

The Guardian

One result is that what in life would be an overwhelming reaction of repugnance to the enormity of a murder (never mind shock and grief) risks being foregone for the sake of more action, more excitement and another climax.

The Guardian - Opinion

Guardian Healthcare Professionals Network columnist Richard Vize wrote on his appointment: "Given the enormity of the tasks facing him and the political and cultural inertia blocking progress, a bookmaker would give long odds on Stevens succeeding.

The Guardian

Realising the enormity of the situation, Koungoulba alerted the rapid response team in the Malian capital, Bamako, and dispatched a sample of the girl's blood for immediate testing.

The Guardian

The enormity of the situation blasted me between the eyes and, faced with a terrified newborn who wouldn't stop screaming, I leapt to the stupid conclusion that I was out of my depth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Later this quiet-mannered former history teacher who quoted Kipling in his programme notes ("It ain't the individual nor the Army as a whole, it's the everlasting teamwork of every bloomin' soul") tested the media's spelling ability with the comment, "The enormity of this result will reverberate throughout the whole of soccer".

The Guardian - Sport

Confronted with the sheer enormity of the decisions you are required to make each day as president of the United States, Obama confessed that he had opted to simplify life in one very small way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enormity" when you want to emphasize not just the size of something, but also its negative or overwhelming impact. For instance, "the enormity of the task" suggests a task that is not only large but also daunting or difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "enormity" simply to describe something large in size. While "enormity" can refer to great size, it often implies a sense of negativity, wickedness, or a problem of great magnitude. Use "enormousness" when referring to size alone.

Linguistic Context

The word "enormity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting something of great size or scale, often with negative connotations. As Ludwig's examples show, it's used to describe the magnitude of events, tasks, or problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "enormity" is a noun used to describe something of great size, scale, or consequence, often with a negative implication. While it can refer to sheer size, it frequently emphasizes the severity, wickedness, or overwhelming nature of the subject. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most often in news and media. When using "enormity", consider whether the context implies a negative or problematic aspect; if you simply want to convey great size, "enormousness" might be more appropriate. Keep in mind that "enormity" is often used to highlight the severity or moral implications of a situation, task, or event. The "sheer magnitude", "immensity", or vastness can all serve as semantically related alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer magnitude

Stresses the impressive or overwhelming size.

vastness

Emphasizes the extensive nature or scope.

immensity

Highlights the great size or extent.

extreme scale

Highlights the degree of magnitude.

immense size

Focuses on the physical dimension or scale.

severity of the consequences

Emphasizes the harshness or intensity of the outcomes.

hugeness

Implies great size, often in a tangible sense.

seriousness of the situation

Highlights the gravity and importance of the circumstances.

profound impact

Emphasizes the significant effect or influence.

extreme wickedness

Focuses on the moral reprehensibility or evilness.

FAQs

How to use "enormity" in a sentence?

Use "enormity" to describe something that is extremely large and often negative or morally wrong. For example, "The world began to grasp the "enormity" of the environmental disaster".

What can I say instead of "enormity"?

You can use alternatives like "immense size", "extreme scale", or "vastness" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "enormity" or "enormousness"?

"Enormity" often implies something negative or morally wrong that is of great scale, while "enormousness" refers to great size or extent. Use "enormity" when there is a negative aspect to the size.

What's the difference between "enormity" and "seriousness"?

"Enormity" refers to the great size or scale, often of something negative, while "seriousness" refers to the gravity or importance of a situation. The "enormity" of the problem might highlight its size, while the "seriousness" emphasizes its potential consequences.