different between enormous vs enormity

English

Etymology

From Latin ?normis. An assimilated form of ex- (“out of”) + norma (“rule, norm”) + -ous.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??n??(?)m?s/
• Rhymes: -??(?)m?s

Adjective

enormous (comparative more enormous, superlative most enormous)

1. (obsolete) Deviating from the norm; unusual, extraordinary.
   • , New York 2001, p.105:

     all shall be rather enforced than hindered, except they be dismembered, or grievously deformed, infirm, or visited with some enormous hereditary disease is body or mind […].

2. (obsolete) Exceedingly wicked; atrocious or outrageous.
   • 1872, James Pillsbury Lane, Historical Sketches of the First Congregational Church, Bristol, R.I., 1689-1872, page 61:

     Men would prove wolves and vipers; tigers and dragons mixt in one and the same person to each other. O bless God for this great gift of Princes and Judges to rule the wicked and enormous world and to sway the scepter of righteousness […]

   • 1898, Christianity in Earnest, for Church Extension and Saloon Suppression, page 7:

     Protestant Christian people are largely ignorant or indifferent to the wicked and enormous religious claims of Romanism. As a so-called religious organization, Romanism is not only the foe of Protestantism, but […]

3. Extremely large; greatly exceeding the common size, extent, etc.

Synonyms

• massive
• huge
• gigantic
• humongous
• abnormal
• tremendous
• See also Thesaurus:gigantic

Translations

Anagrams

• nemorous

English

Etymology

From Late Middle English ?norme (“monstrous or unnatural act; enormity”), from Old French énormité (“enormity”), from Latin ?normit?s (“irregularity; enormity”), from ?n?rmis (“irregular, unusual; enormous, immense”) + -it?s (suffix forming nouns indicating states of being). ?n?rmis is derived from e- (a variant of ex- (prefix meaning ‘out; away’) + n?rma (“norm, standard”) + -is (Latin suffix forming adjectives from nouns).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??n??m?ti/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??n??m?ti/, /-?i/
• Hyphenation: enorm?i?ty

Noun

enormity (countable and uncountable, plural enormities)

1. (obsolete) Deviation from what is normal or standard; irregularity, abnormality.
2. (uncountable) Deviation from moral normality; extreme wickedness, nefariousness, or cruelty. [from 15th c.]
3. (countable) A breach of law or morality; a transgression, an act of evil or wickedness. [from 15th c.]
4. (uncountable) Great size; enormousness, hugeness, immenseness. [from 18th c.]

Usage notes

Enormity as a synonym for enormousness is sometimes considered an error, though other usage guides hold that there is little basis for the distinction. Both words ultimately go back to the same Latin source word ?n?rmis meaning “deviating from the norm, abnormal”.

Synonyms

• (deviation from what is normal or standard): anomalousness, oddness, weirdness; see also Thesaurus:strangeness
• (deviation from moral normality): atrociousness, depravity, immorality; see also Thesaurus:villainy
• (a breach of law or morality): desecration, violation
• (great size): immensity, prodigiousness

Related terms

Translations

References