massive

¹

[ mas-iv ]

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.

Massive

²

[ mas-iv ]

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).

massive

/ 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

noun

1. slang.
   a group of friends or associates; gang

   the Staines massive

Derived Forms

• ˈmassively, adverb
• ˈmassiveness, noun

Other Words From

• massive·ly adverb
• massive·ness mas·sivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of massive¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of massive¹

C15: from French massif, from masse mass

Example Sentences

Without that, there wouldn’t be such a massive second-hand market.

From Popular-Science

With an extremely powerful storm, it’s these potentially massive currents that put satellites and power grids at risk.

From Science News

While Kagame became the West’s darling, receiving massive amounts of aid, Rusesabagina said the president began skewing toward authoritarianism.

From Washington Post

The environmental consequences of producing food that no one eats are massive.

From Washington Post

A growing body of evidence suggests that a massive change is underway in the sensitive circulation system of the Atlantic Ocean, a group of scientists said Thursday.

From Washington Post

But the F-35 has been plagued with massive delays and cost overruns—mostly due to design defects and software issues.

From The Daily Beast

This “Sixth Migration” of massive human migration to Texas is the larger story of the book, and it is a significant story.

From The Daily Beast

It is very popular in Southeast Asia and has had massive growth.

From The Daily Beast

“I am being proven right about massive vaccinations” he tweeted in September.

From The Daily Beast

What you see is a massive, well-intentioned, legal junk pile.

From The Daily Beast

Conny stepped smilingly forward, and proceeded to affix the band around the vicar's massive throat.

From Project Gutenberg

The place wore an entirely peaceful air, strong and massive though it appeared.

From Project Gutenberg

The abbey gate still stands as a massive archway at one end of the river bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

Enough of the massive walls is left to convey a vivid idea of the olden grandeur of the castle.

From Project Gutenberg

It consists of a nave of four bays, a south aisle, chancel, and massive western embattled tower.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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