MASSIVE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does massive mean? 

• MASSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective MASSIVE has 4 senses:

1. imposing in size or bulk or solidity

2. being the same substance throughout

3. imposing in scale or scope or degree or power

4. consisting of great mass; containing a great quantity of matter

  Familiarity information: MASSIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MASSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Imposing in size or bulk or solidity

Synonyms:

massive; monolithic; monumental

Context example:

a monumental scale

Similar:

big; large (above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

Derivation:

massiveness (the property of being large in mass)

massiveness (an unwieldy largeness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Being the same substance throughout

Context example:

massive silver

Similar:

solid (entirely of one substance with no holes inside)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Imposing in scale or scope or degree or power

Context example:

massive changes

Similar:

big; large (above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Consisting of great mass; containing a great quantity of matter

Context example:

Earth is the most massive of the terrestrial planets

Similar:

heavy (of comparatively great physical weight or density)

Derivation:

massiveness (the property of being large in mass)

 Context examples 

The ALMA observations showed that phosphorus-bearing molecules are created as massive stars are formed.

(Astronomers Reveal Interstellar Thread of One of Life’s Building Blocks, ESO)

And yet, while he was of massive build, with broad shoulders and deep chest, I could not characterize his strength as massive.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The Clumber Spaniel is a massive dog with a broad, deep chest.

(Clumber Spaniel, NCI Thesaurus)

With hands that trembled with eagerness, I unhooked the chains and drew back the massive bolts. But the door would not move. Despair seized me.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It has a large head and generally massive bone structure.

(Komondor, NCI Thesaurus)

The English Bulldog is small in stature, but wide and compact, with a thick, massive head.

(English Bulldog, NCI Thesaurus)

He put his arms round her massive waist and kissed her wet steamy lips.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The researchers theorize that the latter had more reactions that made phosphorus because it was denser or more massive.

(Finding Alien Life Unlikely Due to Lack of Phosphorus in Universe, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive iron gate.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Although it may present as a massive ovarian tumor, it usually follows a benign clinical course.

(Ovarian Gynandroblastoma, NCI Thesaurus)