Published October 20, 2025

Enormity or enormousness? Wow, the stories I could tell.

This is another one like gauntlet vs. gantlet in that (except in specific contexts) it’s usually best to pick another word. You can do it. You know a lot of words.

I won’t bore you with dictionary definitions, so let’s get to the point. Here’s something I see as the larger truth in what Merriam-Webster says in its online piece, Yes, ‘Enormity’ Can Mean ‘Enormousness’:

It is worth pointing out that if “we have all been using” a word in a certain manner, or if that use (or misuse) is “near universal,” then that word has now taken on a new meaning. It can be tempting to say that an overwhelming majority of the population is using a word in the wrong fashion, but that’s not quite how language change works; it is a fairly democratic process, and tends to follow the use of the majority, rather than the directives of the few.

If I could fit that on a T-shirt, I’d wear it all the time. It contains so much truth.

Nobody I know argues that “prestigious” means “of, relating to, or marked by illusion, conjuring, or trickery.” Or uses the original definition of “clue,” a “ball of thread or yarn.”

But get a clue!

If you have a strong opinion either way about enormity vs. enormousness, you should read that whole thing.

A workaround is often the best call

Rather than risk having a writer ask what was wrong with “enormity” or have one of my many bosses ask me what was right about it, on deadline I usually swap in “magnitude” or “immensity” or a similar term. I can’t imagine ever inserting “enormousness” into a story.

Language changes, evolves, expands. It’s a big ol’ thing — enormous! — and I advise against trying to hold it tightly and prevent it from doing its thing.

When a word is in such a state of flux it can be so dramatic! Imagine the arguments when a word starts to mean the opposite of what it meant for most of your life!

Seriously, protect your peace. There are more important uses of your time and energy.

Sending love.

♥

Thank you

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