Magnitude

Definition

The size, extent, dimensions, or importance of something.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmæɡnɪˌtud/
• Respelling: MAG-ni-tood (with "MAG" as in "magnet," "ni" as in "nick," and "tood" as in "food")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmæɡnɪˌtjuːd/
• Respelling: MAG-ni-tyood (with "MAG" as in "magnet," "ni" as in "nick," and "tyood" as in "feud")

In both dialects, "magnitude" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "MAG." The pronunciation differs slightly between American and British English, with "MAG-ni-tood" in American English and "MAG-ni-tyood" in British English.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word "magnitudo", from "magnus" meaning "great".

Derivatives

• Magnitudinal
• Magnitude-scale
• Magnitudinally
• Magnitudinous
• Magnitude-wise

Synonyms

• Size
• Extent
• Amplitude

Antonyms

• Insignificance
• Triviality
• Minuteness

Usage

The word "magnitude" is often used in contexts such as physics (describing the size of a vector quantity), astronomy (the brightness of a star), seismology (the energy released by an earthquake), and general contexts to express the importance or size of something.

• The magnitude of the disaster was unprecedented.
• She didn't realize the magnitude of her decision until much later.

Related Terms

• Scope
• Dimension
• Proportion
• Scale
• Capacity

Detailed Definition

Noun

• The great size or extent of something.
• Example: The project is of such magnitude that it will take years to complete.

• The degree of brightness of a star, as represented by a number on a logarithmic scale.
• Example: The star Betelgeuse has a magnitude of around +0.5.

• The amount of energy released by an earthquake, represented by a number on the Richter scale or another logarithmic scale.
• Example: The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale.