好词典

enormity

UK //ɪˈnɔː.mə.ti//US //ɪˈnɔːr.mə.t̬i//

词源

源自拉丁语 'enormis'(意为'超出常规'),由'e-'(超出)和'norma'(规则、标准)组成,14世纪通过古法语进入英语。

noun

❶ 指某事物极端严重或恶劣的性质,常用于描述罪行、错误或灾难的巨大程度。

“The enormity of the crime shocked the entire nation.”

(这一罪行的严重性震惊了整个国家。)

“She was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead.”

(她被眼前任务的艰巨程度压垮了。)

❶ 指某事物在规模或数量上的巨大,但这种用法在现代英语中较少见且可能引起争议。

“The enormity of the building made it visible from miles away.”

(建筑物的巨大规模使其在数英里外都清晰可见。)

“They were amazed by the enormity of the ancient pyramids.”

(他们对古代金字塔的巨大规模感到惊叹。)

同义词:magnitude, immensity, gravity, seriousness, monstrosity

常见短语

the enormity of — 用于强调某事物的极端严重性或巨大规模,通常指负面或令人震惊的事物。

“The survivors struggled to convey the enormity of the earthquake's destruction.”

(幸存者们难以描述地震破坏的严重程度。)