definitions

massive

[ mas-iv ]
/ ˈmæs ɪv /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR massive ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

RELATED CONTENT

Wild Dance Idioms That Will Get You MovingRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Wild Weather Words You Need To KnowPeople talk about the weather all the time. And so, we present this list of weather words we think you need to know to join the conversation.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

massine, léonide, massinger, massinger, philip, massinisa, massinissa, massive, massive resistance, massive retaliation, massive, mount, massively, massless

Origin of massive

1375–1425; late Middle English (see mass, -ive); replacing Middle English massif < Middle French
Related formsmas·sive·ly, adverbmas·sive·ness, mas·siv·i·ty, noun

Definition for massive (2 of 2)

Massive

[ mas-iv ]
/ ˈmæs ɪv /

noun

Mount, a mountain in central Colorado, in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains: second highest in U.S. Rockies. 14,421 feet (4396 meters).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for massive

British Dictionary definitions for massive

massive

/ (ˈmæsɪv) /

adjective

noun

slang a group of friends or associates; gangthe Staines massive
Derived Formsmassively, adverbmassiveness, noun

Word Origin for massive

C15: from French massif, from masse mass
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for massive

massive

adj.

c.1400, from Middle French massif "bulky, solid," from Old French masse "lump" (see mass (n.1)). Related: Massively; massiveness. U.S. Cold War strategy of massive retaliation was introduced by J.F. Dulles in early 1954.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for massive

massive

[ măs′ĭv ]

adj.

Large in comparison with the usual amount.
Affecting a large area of bodily tissue; widespread and severe.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.