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.
(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
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ( see mass, -ive); replacing Middle English massif, from Middle French
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.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"When the ferns dry out, the thick mats act as the ideal fuel to trigger massive wildfires," Van de Schootbrugge explains.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
Donaldson has built a massive following over the years by creating viral videos and staging stunts for his YouTube channel.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The current West End production includes the massive, ornate spherical chandelier and the stage-to-ceiling travel — “a happy medium between the two worlds,” said Sklar-Heyn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
But analysts say they are being scapegoated for South Africa's deep economic and governance challenges, including unemployment above 30 percent and massive failures in the delivery of basic services.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
If one flinched or looked in any way eager to leap at the giant bird, Mama Woof warned it back into position with a cuff from her massive paw.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Massive cash winnings are at stake in the 48-nation tournament.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026
Appeared in the July 3, 2026, print edition as 'EU Court Upholds Massive Penalty On Google'.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Massive prints of the works created on the tablet featured in his 2012 exhibition "A Bigger Picture" at the Royal Academy of Arts, which won mixed reviews.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Massive data centers are also flooding the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s main grid operator, with requests for power.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
Massive and slow and strong he seemed, dressed all in skins, with a club in his right hand and an axe in his left.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.