immensity
Americannoun
-
vastness; enormous extent.
the immensity of the Roman empire.
-
the state or condition of being immense.
noun
-
the state or quality of being immense; vastness; enormity
-
enormous expanse, distance, or volume
the immensity of space
-
informal a huge amount
an immensity of wealth
Etymology
Origin of immensity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word immēnsitās. See immense, -ity
Explanation
Immensity is hugeness. When something is so large or numerous you can hardly believe it, it has the quality of immensity.. Something enormous is immense, and the quality of being immense is immensity. This is a strong word for truly gigantic things and creatures. You might, for example, comment on the immensity of the Grand Canyon, or the immensity of the night sky as seen from a boat on the sea. The noun immensity comes from the Latin word immensitatem, "immeasurableness." In other words, if it's too big to be measured, it has the quality of immensity.
Vocabulary lists containing immensity
"Your World," Vocabulary from the poem
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Distance Between Us
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selected Short Stories of Flannery O'Connor
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The life of a music director at a major opera company is inevitably one engaged in tragedy, and Conlon exhibits the dramatic flair to grip its emotional immensity.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
It’s presented a quiet challenge among the parents in the immensity of this moment: How do you talk to a second grader about what’s unfolding around them?
From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026
Above, the microfiber suede headliner stops only for the immensity of the glass roof.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025
"The immensity of this situation cannot be overstated," he said.
From BBC • Jan. 14, 2025
They went to the Reichssportfeld and came away impressed by the immensity and modernity of the stadium.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
