Magnitude — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd/ mag·ni·tude

Meaning & Definition of Magnitude

Magnitude (noun)

  1. great size or extent
  2. spatial quality, size
  3. quantity, number

Magnitude (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of being important

    "the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated"

    similar: account, consequence, import, importance, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness
    related: celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown, store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth, worthiness, gravity, seriousness, authority, control, dominion, mastery, potency, power, sway, mark, name, report, reputation, repute, centrality, essentiality, essentialness, cachet, position, prestige, rank, standing, stature, status, glory, greatness, honor, illustriousness
    opposite: insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality
    near: paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame, anonymity, obscurity

  2. the quality or state of being very large

    "the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless"

    similar: enormity, enormousness, giantism, gigantism, hugeness, immenseness, immensity, massiveness, prodigiousness, vastitude, vastness
    related: bigness, extensiveness, greatness, largeness, sizableness, voluminousness, weightiness, awesomeness, grandness, stupendousness, tremendousness, boundlessness, limitlessness, ampleness, capaciousness, commodiousness, spaciousness, excessiveness, extravagance, extremeness, gaudiness, grandiosity, immoderacy
    opposite: diminutiveness, minuteness, tininess
    near: littleness, puniness, smallness, triviality

  3. the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something

    "the magnitude of the planned skyscraper is totally disproportionate with that of the other buildings on the block"

    similar: bulk, dimension, extent, measure, measurement, proportion, size
    related: area, capaciousness, commodiousness, roominess, spaciousness, ampleness, amplitude, bigness, bulkiness, enormousness, grandness, greatness, grossness, heftiness, hugeness, immenseness, immensity, largeness, mass, massiveness, monstrousness, stupendousness, tremendousness, vastness, volume, voluminousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Magnitude

The most common words with a similar meaning to Magnitude:

account, consequence, import, importance, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness, enormity, enormousness, giantism, gigantism, hugeness, immenseness, immensity, massiveness, prodigiousness, vastitude, vastness, bulk, dimension, extent, measure, measurement, proportion, size

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Magnitude

Words with the opposite meaning of Magnitude:

insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality, diminutiveness, minuteness, tininess

Related Words for Magnitude

celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown, store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth, worthiness, gravity, seriousness, authority, control, dominion, mastery, potency, power, sway, mark, name, report, reputation, repute

Near Antonyms of Magnitude

paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame, anonymity, obscurity

Origin & Etymology of Magnitude

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnitudo, from magnus

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Magnitude

Words & Phrases Containing Magnitude

absolute magnitude, apparent magnitude, order of magnitude

Frequently Asked Questions about Magnitude

What does "Magnitude" mean?

"Magnitude" means great size or extent. As a noun, it is defined as: great size or extent. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Magnitude"?

Other words for "Magnitude" include account, consequence, import, importance, moment, momentousness, significance and weight. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Magnitude" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Magnitude"?

There are 101 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Magnitude". Common alternatives include account, consequence, import, importance, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness and enormity.

What is the opposite of "Magnitude"?

Antonyms of "Magnitude" include insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality, diminutiveness and minuteness. Near antonyms include paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness and worthlessness.

How do you use "Magnitude" in a sentence?

Examples of "Magnitude" in a sentence: "the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated"; "the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless"; "the magnitude of the planned skyscraper is totally disproportionate with that of the other buildings on the block".

Is "Magnitude" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Magnitude" is a noun.

Is "Magnitude" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Magnitude" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Magnitude"?

"Magnitude" is pronounced /ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd/ and divided into syllables as mag·ni·tude.