Etymology Map
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Enormous

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means very large

Where does the word "enormous" come from? It comes from Latin enormis, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
enormis
Latin · ancient
"irregular, huge"
'e-', out of, plus 'norma', rule, the root of 'normal'
2
Stage 2 of 2
enormous
English · 1530s
"abnormal; huge"
'enormity' kept the older sense of wickedness
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Read the full story

Enormous’s story begins in Latin: enormis meant “irregular, huge.” 'e-', out of, plus 'norma', rule, the root of 'normal'. It reached English by 1530s as enormous. 'enormity' kept the older sense of wickedness. Today, enormous means very large.