How to pronounce enormity
Say it like ih-NOR-mih-tee. Enormity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce enormity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- NOR
- mih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enormity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- NORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- mihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of enormity
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ih-NAW-mih-tee.
What does enormity mean?
- Deviation from moral normality; extreme wickedness, nefariousness, or cruelty.“Not until the war ended and journalists were able to enter Cambodia did the world really become aware of the enormity of Pol Pot’s oppression.”
- A breach of law or morality; a transgression, an act of evil or wickedness.
- Great size; enormousness, hugeness, immenseness.
Where does enormity come from?
From Late Middle English ēnorme (“monstrous or unnatural act; enormity”), from Old French énormité (“enormity”), from Latin ēnormitās (“irregularity; enormity”), from ēnōrmis (“irregular, unusual; enormous, immense”) + -itās (suffix forming
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying enormity
How do you pronounce enormity?
Say ih-NOR-mih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈnoʊrmɪti/. In British English it is /ɪˈnɔːmɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enormity?
Enormity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR). Broken into parts: ih · NOR · mih · tee.
Is enormity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪˈnɔːmɪti/ (ih-NAW-mih-tee).