massive

¹ American  

[mas-iv] / ˈmæs ɪv /

adjective

1. consisting of or forming a large mass; bulky and heavy.

   massive columns.

2. large and heavy-looking.

   a massive forehead.

3. large in scale, amount, or degree.

   a massive breakdown in communications;

   massive reductions in spending.

4. solid or substantial; great or imposing.

   massive erudition.

5. Mineralogy. having no outward crystal form, although sometimes crystalline in internal structure.

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Massive ² American  

[mas-iv] / ˈmæs ɪv /

noun

1. Mount, a mountain in central Colorado, in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains: second highest in U.S. Rockies. 14,421 feet (4,396 meters).

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massive British  

/ ˈmæsɪv /

adjective

1. (of objects) large in mass; bulky, heavy, and usually solid

2. impressive or imposing in quality, degree, or scope

   massive grief

3. relatively intensive or large; considerable

   a massive dose

4. pathol affecting a large area of the body

   a massive cancer

5. geology

   1. (of igneous rocks) having no stratification, cleavage, etc; homogeneous

   2. (of sedimentary rocks) arranged in thick poorly defined strata

6. mineralogy without obvious crystalline structure

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noun

1. slang a group of friends or associates; gang

   the Staines massive

Other Word Forms

• massively adverb
• massiveness noun
• massivity noun

Etymology

Origin of massive

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ( mass, -ive ); replacing Middle English massif, from Middle French

Explanation

Massive means enormous. Obviously, Mt. Everest is massive, but a massive budget cut isn't necessarily big in physical mass; it's something that is imposing in scale or power. A massive budget cut can do a lot of damage. Unless someone is referring to your intellect, massive is not a word you want used in a description of your attributes. Massive is a nice one to trot out when huge, gigantic, and enormous sound too over-the-top. Politicians use it often. Massive could also be the best way to describe the wave you surfed on your Hawaiian vacation or the size of the fish you nearly caught on that trip with your friends.

Example Sentences

That, as well as massive shareholder dilution, has pushed the stock into “penny stock” territory — it has closed below $1 every day since Jan. 15. — from its peak well above $200.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

The members hugged him back, from bankrolling his college tuition to sending him generous gifts when he retired in 2013 and donations when his beloved wife, Cheryl, died in 2020 after suffering a massive stroke.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The massive festival in the California desert draws more than 100,000 people daily over two weekends, according to police from the city of Indio.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“Control” eventually peaked at the top of the Billboard 200, generating Jackson’s first round of massive hits.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Baring his massive yellow teeth, he snapped at the air in front of Clare’s face.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• big
• colossal
• enormous
• extensive
• gargantuan
• gigantic
• grand
• great
• heavy
• hefty
• huge
• immense
• imposing
• impressive
• mammoth
• monumental
• substantial
• towering
• tremendous
• vast