enormity

UK: /ɪˈnɔː^rmɪti/ US: /ɪˈnɔrmɪti/ ,(i nôr′mi tē)

Inflections of 'enormity' (n): npl: enormities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•nor•mi•ty /ɪˈnɔrmɪti/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. [uncountable] outrageous or evil character:
   We couldn't believe the enormity of the crime.
2. [countable] something outrageous or evil, as an offense.
3. [uncountable] greatness of size or extent;
   hugeness;
   immensity:
   The enormity of the task was overwhelming.

See -norm-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•nor•mi•ty  (i nôr′mi tē), n., pl. -ties 

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

• Latin ēnormitās. See enorm, -ty²
• Middle French
• late Middle English enormite 1425–75

Synonyms

• 1. monstrousness, heinousness.
• 3. hugeness, vastness.

Usage

3. 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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

enormity / ɪˈnɔːmɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the quality or character of being outrageous; extreme wickedness
2. an act of great wickedness; atrocity
3. vastness of size or extent

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French enormite, from Late Latin ēnormitās hugeness; see enormous