Enormity

/ɪˈnɔːrmɪti/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong.
The enormity of the crime shocked the entire community.
A monstrous or outrageous act.
She struggled to comprehend the enormity of the atrocities committed during the war.
The state or quality of being enormous.
The enormity of the task ahead filled him with dread.

Etymology

Derived from Latin 'enormitas', from 'enormis' meaning 'out of the norm.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

the enormity of the situation:
the seriousness or gravity of the situation
the enormity of the crime:
the extreme seriousness of a particular crime
face the enormity:
to confront a very large or serious issue

Related Words

Slang Meanings

A really big problem or issue.
The enormity of our debt is just overwhelming right now.
When something is way out of proportion.
That party was an enormity, way bigger than I expected.