enormity

/ɪˈnɔːməti/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnɔːrməti/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈnȯr-mə-tē/ (ame, mw)

enormity — noun

  • enormitysingular
  • enormitiesplural

1. the state of being so large, important, or serious that it feels overwhelming.

1.名詞C2
釋義

the state of being so large, important, or serious that it feels overwhelming.

例句

The repair bill's enormity hit Sana when the mechanic read the total aloud.

enormity as the shocking size of a cost

Only after landing did Mateo grasp the enormity of the storm over the coast.

grasp the enormity of + event

同義詞
  • magnitude

    neutral and often used for size, importance, or seriousness

  • scale

    stresses how large something is in scope

  • gravity

    focuses more on seriousness than on physical size

反義詞
  • smallness

    the quality of being limited in size or scope

  • triviality

    stresses lack of importance or seriousness

文法句型

the enormity of + task/problem/decision

grasp/understand + the enormity of + noun

用法筆記

Usually appears with 'of' before a situation, event, or decision. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about scale or seriousness, not about calling an act morally evil.

常見錯誤

❌The task was an enormity.
✅The task was enormous.
💡use 'enormous' after 'be' for the adjective; 'enormity' is the noun.

2. a deed, or a degree of wickedness, that people judge as shockingly cruel or immo

2.名詞C2
釋義

a deed, or a degree of wickedness, that people judge as shockingly cruel or immoral.

例句

Villagers still speak of the enormity of burning the school with children inside.

the enormity of + horrific act

The judge called the prison abuse an enormity that shamed the entire country.

call something an enormity

同義詞
  • atrocity

    common for a very cruel or violent act

  • outrage

    stresses public shock and anger

  • monstrosity

    strongly literary and emphasizes moral horror

反義詞
  • decency

    morally acceptable behavior

  • kindness

    careful and humane treatment of others

文法句型

an enormity

the enormity of + crime/abuse

commit/call something + an enormity

用法筆記

Often appears in discussions of atrocities, abuse, or other extreme moral wrongs. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense condemns the act itself, not just its size or importance.

常見錯誤

❌Forgetting the tickets was an enormity.
✅Forgetting the tickets was a mistake.
💡this sense is reserved for shocking moral wrongs, not ordinary problems.