If you talk about the magnitude of something, you are talking about its great size, scale, or importance.
An operation of this magnitude is going to be difficult.
These are issues of great magnitude.
No one seems to realise the magnitude of this problem.
Synonyms: importance, consequence, significance, mark More Synonyms of magnitude
2. variable noun [with supplement, oft num N, Nof num, NOUN num]
Magnitude is used in stating the size or extent of something such as a star, earthquake, orexplosion.
[technical]
...the 1.2 magnitude star Fomalhaut.
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 had a magnitude of 8.3.
3.
See order of magnitude
4.
See order of magnitude
More Synonyms of magnitude
magnitude in British English
(ˈmæɡnɪˌtjuːd)
noun
1.
relative importance or significance
a problem of the first magnitude
2.
relative size or extent
the magnitude of the explosion
3. mathematics
a number assigned to a quantity, such as weight, and used as a basis of comparison for the measurement of similar quantities
4. Also called: apparent magnitude astronomy
the apparent brightness of a celestial body expressed on a numerical scale on which bright stars have a low value. Values are measured by eye (visual magnitude) or more accurately by photometric or photographic methods, and range from –26.7 (the sun), through 1.5 (Sirius), down to about +30. Each integral value represents a brightness 2.512 times greater than the next highest integral value
See also absolute magnitude, visual magnitude
5. Also called: earthquake magnitude geology
a measure of the size of an earthquake based on the quantity of energy released: specified on the Richter scale
Richter scale
Derived forms
magnitudinous (ˌmagniˈtudinous)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Latin magnitūdō size, from magnus great
magnitude in American English
(ˈmægnəˌtud; ˈmægnəˌtjud)
noun
1.
greatness
; specif.,
a.
of size
b.
of extent
c.
of importance or influence
d. Obsolete
of character
2.
a.
size or measurable quantity
the magnitude of a velocity
b.
loudness (of sound)
c.
importance or influence
3. Astronomy
a number representing the apparent brightness of a celestial body: it is part ofan unlimited arbitrary scale that ranges from the brightest object, the sun, at -26.72 to the faintest visible object at c. 26: only 22 stars are brighter than 1.5 (first magnitude), while stars c. 6 (sixth magnitude) are barely visible to the naked eye: each increase of one magnitude equals 2.512 times as much brightness (a magnitude increase of 5 is 100 times brighter)
see also absolute magnitude
4. Geology
a measure of the amount of energy released by an earthquake
see also Richter scale
5. Ancient Mathematics
a number given to a quantity for purposes of comparison with other quantities of the same class
Idioms:
of the first magnitude
Word origin
L magnitudo < magnus, great: see magni-
Examples of 'magnitude' in a sentence
magnitude
The magnitude of what was happening - had happened - was still sinking in.
St. James, Ian FINAL RESORT (2002)
It was not until 1832, six years after Spix's death, that the magnitude of his error became apparent.
Tony Juniper SPIX'S MACAW: THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD'S RAREST BIRD (2002)
As I said on your earlier visit, I have a debt of considerable magnitude to your late uncle.
Goldsborough, Robert MURDER IN E MINOR (2002)
In other languages
magnitude
British English: magnitude NOUN
If you talk about the magnitude of something, you are talking about its great size, scale, or importance.
An operation of this magnitude is going to be difficult.
American English: magnitude
Brazilian Portuguese: magnitude
Chinese: > 大的程度尺寸、规模、重要性等
European Spanish: magnitud
French: ampleur
German: Ausmaß
Italian: ampiezza
Japanese: 大きさ
Korean: 중요성
European Portuguese: magnitude
Latin American Spanish: magnitud
1 (noun)
Definition
relative importance
An operation of this magnitude is going to be difficult.
Synonyms
importance
Safety is of paramount importance.
consequence
This question is of little consequence.
significance
ideas about the social significance of religion
mark
moment
I was glad I had nothing of great moment to do that afternoon.
note
weight
That argument no longer carries much weight.
proportion
dimension
She did not understand the dimension of her plight.
greatness
grandeur
He is wholly concerned with his own grandeur.
eminence
pilots who achieved eminence in the aeronautical world
Opposites
insignificance
,
triviality
,
unimportance
2 (noun)
Definition
relative size or extent
the magnitude of the task confronting them
Synonyms
immensity
The immensity of the universe is difficult to grasp.
size
books of various sizes
extent
The full extent of the losses was revealed yesterday.
enormity (informal)
I was appalled by the enormity of the task ahead of us.
strength
the strength of the army
volume
When water is frozen it increases in volume.
vastness
bigness
largeness
hugeness
Opposites
meanness
,
smallness
3 (noun)
a quake with a magnitude exceeding 5
Synonyms
intensity
measure
The colonies were claiming a larger measure of self-government.
capacity
an aircraft with a bomb-carrying capacity of 454 kg
amplitude
The operatic amplitude of her voice suits the occasion.
4 (noun)
Synonyms
mass
Pluto and Triton have nearly the same mass and density.
space
The furniture proved impractical because it took up too much space.
amount
I still do a certain amount of work for them.
quantity
the sheer quantity of data can cause problems.
bulk
The vast bulk of imports and exports is carried by sea.
expanse
a vast expanse of grassland
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amount
Definition
extent or quantity
I still do a certain amount of work for them.
Synonyms
quantity,
lot,
measure,
size,
supply,
mass,
volume,
capacity,
extent,
bulk,
number,
magnitude,
expanse
in the sense of amplitude
Definition
greatness of extent
The operatic amplitude of her voice suits the occasion.
Synonyms
extent,
reach,
range,
size,
mass,
sweep,
dimension,
bulk,
scope,
width,
magnitude,
compass,
greatness,
breadth,
expanse,
vastness,
spaciousness,
bigness,
largeness,
hugeness,
capaciousness
in the sense of bulk
Definition
the main part
The vast bulk of imports and exports is carried by sea.
Synonyms
majority,
mass,
most,
body,
quantity,
best part,
major part,
lion's share,
better part,
generality,
preponderance,
main part,
plurality,
nearly all,
greater number
Synonyms of 'magnitude'
magnitude
Explore 'magnitude' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of capacity
Definition
the ability to contain, absorb, or hold something
an aircraft with a bomb-carrying capacity of 454 kg
Synonyms
size,
room,
range,
space,
volume,
extent,
dimensions,
scope,
magnitude,
compass,
amplitude
in the sense of consequence
Definition
significance or importance
This question is of little consequence.
Synonyms
importance,
interest,
concern,
moment,
value,
account,
note,
weight,
import (formal),
significance,
portent
in the sense of dimension
Definition
scope or extent
She did not understand the dimension of her plight.
Synonyms
extent,
size,
magnitude,
importance,
scope,
greatness,
amplitude,
largeness
in the sense of eminence
Definition
the state of being well-known and well-respected
pilots who achieved eminence in the aeronautical world
Synonyms
prominence,
reputation,
importance,
fame,
celebrity,
distinction,
note,
esteem,
rank,
dignity,
prestige,
superiority,
greatness,
renown,
pre-eminence,
repute,
notability,
illustriousness
in the sense of enormity
Definition
the vastness or extent of a problem or difficulty
I was appalled by the enormity of the task ahead of us.
Synonyms
hugeness,
extent,
magnitude,
greatness,
vastness,
immensity,
massiveness,
enormousness,
extensiveness
in the sense of expanse
Definition
an uninterrupted wide area
a vast expanse of grassland
Synonyms
area,
range,
field,
space,
stretch,
sweep,
extent,
plain,
tract,
breadth
in the sense of extent
Definition
the degree or amount to which something applies
The full extent of the losses was revealed yesterday.
Synonyms
magnitude,
amount,
degree,
scale,
level,
measure,
stretch,
quantity,
bulk,
duration,
expanse,
amplitude
in the sense of grandeur
Definition
personal greatness, dignity, or nobility
He is wholly concerned with his own grandeur.
Synonyms
importance,
status,
prestige,
standing,
dignity,
prominence,
greatness,
nobility,
loftiness,
augustness
in the sense of greatness
Synonyms
importance,
moment,
weight,
import (formal),
significance,
gravity,
urgency,
seriousness,
heaviness,
momentousness
in the sense of measure
Definition
the size, quantity, or degree of something, as discovered by measurement or calculation
The colonies were claiming a larger measure of self-government.
Synonyms
quantity,
share,
amount,
degree,
reach,
range,
size,
capacity,
extent,
proportion,
allowance,
portion,
scope,
quota,
ration,
magnitude,
allotment,
amplitude
Additional synonyms
in the sense of moment
Definition
importance, significance, or value
I was glad I had nothing of great moment to do that afternoon.
Synonyms
importance,
concern,
value,
worth,
weight,
import (formal),
consequence,
substance,
significance,
gravity,
seriousness,
weightiness
in the sense of quantity
Definition
the aspect of anything that can be measured, weighed, or counted
the sheer quantity of data can cause problems.
Synonyms
size,
measure,
mass,
volume,
length,
capacity,
extent,
bulk,
magnitude,
greatness,
expanse
in the sense of significance
Definition
the effect something is likely to have on other things
ideas about the social significance of religion
Synonyms
importance,
import (formal),
consequence,
matter,
moment,
weight,
consideration,
gravity,
relevance,
magnitude,
seriousness,
impressiveness,
noteworthiness
in the sense of size
Definition
the dimensions, amount, or extent of something
books of various sizes
Synonyms
dimensions,
extent,
measurement(s),
range,
amount,
mass,
length,
volume,
capacity,
proportions,
bulk,
width,
magnitude,
greatness,
vastness,
immensity,
bigness,
largeness,
hugeness
in the sense of space
Definition
unoccupied area or room
The furniture proved impractical because it took up too much space.
Synonyms
room,
volume,
capacity,
extent,
margin,
extension,
scope,
play,
expanse,
leeway,
amplitude,
spaciousness,
elbowroom
in the sense of strength
Definition
the total number of people in a group
the strength of the army
Synonyms
size,
extent,
magnitude,
greatness,
largeness
in the sense of volume
Definition
the magnitude of the three-dimensional space enclosed within or occupied by something