enormity

noun

enor·​mi·​ty i-ˈnȯr-mə-tē 

plural enormities

1

: an outrageous, improper, vicious, or immoral act

the enormities of state power

—Susan Sontag

other enormities too juvenile to mention

—Richard Freedman

2

: the quality or state of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous

especially : great wickedness

the enormity of the crimes committed during the Third Reich

—G. A. Craig

3

: the quality or state of being huge : immensity

the inconceivable enormity of the universe

4

: a quality of momentous importance or impact

the enormity of the decision

Enormity vs. Enormousness: Usage Guide

Enormity, some people insist, is improperly used to denote large size. They insist on enormousness for this meaning, and would limit enormity to the meaning "great wickedness." Those who urge such a limitation may not recognize the subtlety with which enormity is actually used. It regularly denotes a considerable departure from the expected or normal.

they awakened; they sat up; and then the enormity of their situation burst upon them. "How did the fire start?"

—John Steinbeck

When used to denote large size, either literal or figurative, it usually suggests something so large as to seem overwhelming

no intermediate zone of study. Either the enormity of the desert or the sight of a tiny flower

—Paul Theroux

the enormity of the task of teachers in slum schools

—J. B. Conant

and may even be used to suggest both great size and deviation from morality.

the enormity of existing stockpiles of atomic weapons

—New Republic

It can also emphasize the momentousness of what has happened

the sombre enormity of the Russian Revolution

—George Steiner

or of its consequences.

perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune

—E. L. Doctorow

Did you know?

Although enormity has been used since the late 1700s to denote large size, this usage continues to be disparaged by various language commentators who argue that enormity should be reserved for senses related to "great wickedness." It is enormousness, they insist (a hefty and considerably less common word), that should be used in reference to great size, despite the fact that, like enormity, it too originally was used to denote wickedness or divergence from accepted moral standards. For better or worse, this proscription has been widely ignored by many English speakers, including professional writers. However one chooses to use them, enormity and enormous can both be traced back to the Latin enormis, from the prefix e- ("out of") and norma ("rule," "pattern," or "carpenter's square").

Synonyms

• badness
• sinfulness
• atrocity
• evilness
• heinousness

Examples of enormity in a Sentence

We were shocked at the enormity of the crime.

They didn't fully grasp the enormity of their decision.

Recent Examples on the Web

Photos of those who have died along with a colorful array of flowers and candles now decorate a fence in Hill Country — a growing tribute that reflects the enormity of the disaster in the region. —Nadia Lathan, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

Given the enormity of the project – a $3.6 billion plan for the two bridges, plus close to eight miles of Interstate 71/75 improvements – there are endless angles to chase. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

Greenhalgh was too busy trying to take in the enormity of it all. —Stuart James, New York Times, 31 May 2025

Yet, local residents remained largely unaware of the enormity of danger approaching as the storm closed in. —Bluesky Social, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enormity

• conformity
• deformity
• disconformity
• nonconformity
• unconformity
• uniformity
• nonuniformity

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

enormity

noun

enor·​mi·​ty i-ˈnȯr-mət-ē 

plural enormities

1

: great wickedness

the enormity of the crime

2

: an outrageous or immoral act or offense

3

: very large size

4

: the quality of great impact or importance