massive
adjective
consisting of or forming a large mass; bulky and heavy.
massive
1 American
[mas-iv]
/ ˈmæs ɪv /
adjective
-
consisting of or forming a large mass; bulky and heavy.
massive columns.
-
large and heavy-looking.
a massive forehead.
-
large in scale, amount, or degree.
a massive breakdown in communications;
massive reductions in spending.
-
solid or substantial; great or imposing.
massive erudition.
-
Mineralogy. having no outward crystal form, although sometimes crystalline in internal structure.
Massive
2
American
[mas-iv]
/ ˈmæs ɪv /
noun
massive
British
/ ˈmæsɪv /
adjective
-
(of objects) large in mass; bulky, heavy, and usually solid
-
impressive or imposing in quality, degree, or scope
massive grief
-
relatively intensive or large; considerable
a massive dose
-
pathol affecting a large area of the body
a massive cancer
-
geology
-
(of igneous rocks) having no stratification, cleavage, etc; homogeneous
-
(of sedimentary rocks) arranged in thick poorly defined strata
-
-
mineralogy without obvious crystalline structure
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of massive
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ( see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing massive
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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Number the Stars
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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This week, a massive fire posed a threat to these new boomtowns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
"The fact that this hasn't been solved clearly points out that this is a massive problem."
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
The attacks were not claimed, but Wheeler said they were a demonstration of militants' capabilities and continued presence, despite massive deployment of Thai security forces.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
"Astrophysics has been plagued by a massive discrepancy in the cosmic ledger," says Gallardo.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
They heard Pelicarnassus cry out in anger, and two massive thuds as the giant robot pelican suit stepped into the classroom, smashing desks everywhere.
From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness
Massive investment in infrastructure, coupled with policy incentives to attract data centre builders, have earned Guizhou one of the highest debt burdens in the country.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Massive spending commitments for data-center leases and chips aren’t shown on companies’ balance sheets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Massive Attack, which consists of Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, described the event as a “surreal experience” in a post on Instagram.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
Massive Attack are currently on a world tour, with performances next week in Australia following the end of its Asia leg.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
Massive wave of fire rolled over from the left.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
