magnitude

A number showing how much energy an earthquake releases.

• The earthquake had a magnitude of five.
• Scientists recorded several quakes of similar magnitude.
• A magnitude seven earthquake struck the coast.

Common phrases: earthquake magnitude, magnitude six, magnitude of something

How large, serious, or important something is.

• I understood the magnitude of the task.
• Nobody expected a disaster of this magnitude.
• The changes differed greatly in magnitude.

How to use it: the magnitude of something (We underestimated the magnitude of the problem.)

Similar words: size, scale, extent, importance

Common phrases: magnitude of something, enormous magnitude, order of magnitude

A number that expresses how large an amount or a measured value is.

• The two values have equal magnitude.
• This number represents the magnitude of the force.
• A vector has both magnitude and direction.

How to use it: the magnitude of something (Calculate the magnitude of the force.)

Similar words: size, absolute value

Common phrases: vector magnitude, magnitude of something, calculate the magnitude

A number showing how bright a star looks; lower numbers mean brighter stars.

• The star has an apparent magnitude of six.
• Astronomers measured the magnitude of the newly discovered star.
• Stars of this magnitude are difficult to see without a telescope.

Similar words: apparent magnitude

Common phrases: apparent magnitude, stellar magnitude, fifth magnitude