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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Magnitude: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：great size or intensity (magnitude)

magnitude 🔊

/ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/

The great size, strength, or importance of something, often used to describe how big or serious an event is.

Magnitude illustrated by a seismometer reading for a high-intensity earthquake.

great size or intensity 🔊

➕

/ɡreɪt saɪz ɔːr ɪnˈtɛnsɪti/

Denotes the large scale or power of something, particularly in contexts like natural events or significant occurrences.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'magnitudo' (greatness), derived from 'magnus' meaning 'great'.

💡 Mnemonic

Link to 'MAGNIfy' – to enlarge, so magnitude signifies largeness or importance.

📖 Example

After the earthquake, scientists quickly measured its magnitude to understand how much damage it might have caused. 🔊 Following the quake, researchers promptly gauged its strength to assess potential destruction.

🔗 Collocations

earthquake magnitude – the measure of an earthquake's strength on a scale

order of magnitude – a factor of ten difference in size or quantity

magnitude of the problem – the extent or seriousness of an issue

🔄 Synonyms

scale (n.) – the relative size or extent of something

extent (n.) – the degree to which something has spread or reached

intensity (n.) – the quality of being very strong or concentrated

🚫 Antonyms

insignificance (n.) – the state of being too small or unimportant to be worth consideration

triviality (n.) – lack of seriousness or importance

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'magnitudo'. Commonly used in science: in astronomy for star brightness (stellar magnitude) and seismology for earthquake strength (Richter magnitude).

Meaning 2：great importance or significance (magnitude)

magnitude 🔊

/ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/

The great importance or significance of an event, decision, or discovery.

Magnitude of importance shown as a highlighted event on a visual timeline.

great importance or significance 🔊

➕

/ɡreɪt ɪmˈpɔːrtəns ɔːr sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

Refers to the considerable impact or consequence of an event, decision, or discovery.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Historians are still debating the magnitude of this ancient king's decisions on modern society. 🔊 Scholars continue to discuss how significant this monarch's choices were for contemporary culture.

🔗 Collocations

historical magnitude – the great importance of a historical event

magnitude of the discovery – the significant impact of a finding

understand the magnitude – to grasp the full importance of something

🔄 Synonyms

significance (n.) – the quality of being worthy of attention; importance

importance (n.) – the state or fact of being of great significance or value

impact (n.) – a marked effect or influence

🚫 Antonyms

triviality (n.) – lack of seriousness or importance

insignificance (n.) – the quality of being unimportant or not worthy of attention