masses
Britishplural noun
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the body of common people
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informal (often foll by of) great numbers or quantities
masses of food
Explanation
The masses refers to a large, general group of regular folks — the common people of a society. If you’re super rich, you ride around in a private jet while the masses take crowded buses. The masses don’t include celebrities, rich people, royalty, or political leaders. The masses are everybody else. People use this term when they need to speak generally about the majority, although it often refers to the lower class. To win an election, a politician must appeal to the masses. Popular movies and music also must appeal to the masses — in other words, they need mass appeal. The word masses is also just plural for any kind of mass.
Vocabulary lists containing masses
Home of the Brave
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"Efrén Divided" by Ernesto Cisneros, Chapters 6–11
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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
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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.
If white dwarfs reach similar masses before exploding, their energy output and brightness can be expected to follow broadly predictable patterns.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026
Their analysis ruled out planets with masses equal to or greater than Jupiter's within specific parts of the system.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026
Foid, like the rest of incel language, has become something of a reclaimed meme to the wider masses.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
As the anniversary approaches, the Catholic Church has called for nationwide masses to honour the victims, while the main opposition party, Chadema, has announced a seven-day mourning period.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
Or was she floating amongst the trains and masses of Lithuanians, searching for her husband?
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
