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• massive
  massive

  adjective

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

  noun

  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).

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

• massiveness
  noun
• massivity
  noun
• massively
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of massive

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

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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

See Examples For:

massive Massive

A massive data breach of the Instructure Canvas learning system hit UC, CSU and other schools across the nation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Plus, a massive round of layoffs and leadership shake-ups took place this week, affecting about 6 percent of Netflix’s staff—its deepest workforce cut in four years.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

France experienced its hottest summer on record in 2026, marked by heatwaves, drought and massive wildfires.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

In August, Carney joined Quebec and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in announcing a massive new hydroelectric development near their shared border, facilitated by a $7 billion federal investment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Before I can even stop to wonder if it’s a bit weird, I’m giving him a massive hug.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Massive teams of engineers and scientists — including personnel from Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory — have worked for over a decade to develop the $4.3-billion telescope.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Massive pieces of floating ice can remain intact for years as they drift, then gradually fracture into smaller sections that may become difficult to track.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

Massive landslides and flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread damage and left hundreds dead or missing.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

Massive flooding killed eight people in Nepal on Wednesday as Chinese state media reported "major casualties" from a mudslide at a Tibet trade hub on China's side of the nations' shared border.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Massive banks of LEDs throw out full-spectrum lighting just like Mom’s greenhouse.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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Related Words

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

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