immensity

[ ih-men-si-tee ]

noun

1. vastness; enormous extent:

   the immensity of the Roman empire.

2. the state or condition of being immense.

immensity

/ ɪˈmɛnsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being immense; vastness; enormity
2. enormous expanse, distance, or volume

   the immensity of space

3. informal.
   a huge amount

   an immensity of wealth

Word History and Origins

Origin of immensity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word immēnsitās. See immense, -ity

Example Sentences

By returning to us, "Pachinko" gives us more of a sense of that immensity in ways we previously may not have thought possible.

From Salon

They are simultaneously heartbroken by the immensity of the Jewish suffering and the moral discomfort of seeing such a massively disproportionate response inflicted against civilians.

From Salon

"We kept it so cool to the end. We had the confidence, we know we've done so many hard miles in training. The immensity of it hasn't caught up with me yet."

From BBC

The lag is likely due to "the immensity and ubiquity of the problem," the study authors wrote.

From Science Daily

Adès, particularly in the past decade, seems to have flung open the gates of heaven, unleashing forces that overwhelm and awe in their immensity.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bigness
• enormity
• vastness