magnitude

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformal

   The great size, scale or seriousness of something, especially a problem or an event.

   Grammar: Used with of: the magnitude of the task. It rarely takes a plural in this sense.

   Patterns

   • the magnitude of something
   • realize the magnitude of something

   Few people understood the magnitude of the flood at first.

   She was shocked by the magnitude of the debt.

   Scientists are still working out the magnitude of the change.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A number that shows how strong an earthquake is, based on the energy it releases.

   Grammar: Usually singular with a number: a magnitude of 6.

   Patterns

   • a magnitude of number
   • an earthquake of magnitude 7

   The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 and shook buildings across the city.

   Experts measured the magnitude within minutes of the shock.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   In astronomy, a number showing how bright a star appears, where lower numbers mean brighter stars.

   Grammar: A countable noun used with a number: a star of magnitude 2.

   Patterns

   • a star of magnitude number
   • apparent magnitude

   Polaris has an apparent magnitude of about two.

   Stars fainter than magnitude six cannot be seen without a telescope.

4. 4nouncountablemathematicsphysics

   In mathematics and physics, the size of a quantity or vector without regard to direction.

   Grammar: A countable noun: the magnitude of a vector.

   Patterns

   • the magnitude of a vector

   Speed is the magnitude of velocity, with no direction attached.

   Calculate the magnitude of the force acting on the block.

Word forms

Common combinations

the magnitude of the problem

The mayor admitted the magnitude of the problem.

of the first magnitude

It was a scandal of the first magnitude.

order of magnitude

The new engine is an order of magnitude faster.

earthquake magnitude

The earthquake magnitude was higher than predicted.

grasp the magnitude

It took weeks to grasp the magnitude of the loss.

vast magnitude

The project was of vast magnitude.

Synonyms and how they differ

scale

Scale can describe size in general or a ratio, whereas magnitude more often stresses how big or serious something is when you first notice it.

extent

Extent describes how far something spreads, while magnitude stresses its overall size or force.

significance

Significance is about importance and meaning, not about measurable size.

enormity

Enormity is traditionally about great wickedness, so many careful writers prefer magnitude when they only mean great size.

Opposites

Word family

magnify verb

to make something look or seem larger

magnificent adjective

very impressive or grand

magnification noun

the act or degree of making something look bigger

Commonly confused: magnitude or amplitude?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “magnitude”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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