massive

mas·sive

adjective \ˈma-siv\

Definition of MASSIVE

1

: forming or consisting of a large mass:

a : bulky

b : weighty, heavy <massive walls> <a massive volume>

c : impressively large or ponderous

d : having no regular form but not necessarily lacking crystalline structure <massive sandstone>

2

a : large, solid, or heavy in structure <massive jaw>

b : large in scope or degree <the feeling of frustration, of being ineffectual, is massive — David Halberstam>

c (1) : large in comparison to what is typical <a massive dose of penicillin> (2) : being extensive and severe <massive hemorrhage> (3) : imposing in excellence or grandeur <massive simplicity>

3

: having mass <a massive boson>

— mas·sive·ly adverb

— mas·sive·ness noun

Examples of MASSIVE

1. The fort had massive walls.
2. stars more massive than the sun
3. A massive effort will be required to clean up the debris.
4. You can find a massive amount of information on the Internet.
5. The stunt received massive publicity.
6. a massive collection of baseball cards

Origin of MASSIVE

Middle English massiffe, from Anglo-French mascif, alteration of massiz, from Vulgar Latin *massicius, from Latin massa mass

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MASSIVE

Synonyms

hefty, heavy, ponderous, weighty

Antonyms

light, weightless

Related Words

burdensome, leaden, lumpish; bulky, elephantine, massy, outsize (also outsized), voluminous; overweight, top-heavy; solid, substantial; ultraheavy

Near Antonyms

airy, ethereal, feathery, fluffy, gossamer, gossamery; flimsy, insubstantial, slight; lightweight, undersized (also undersize), underweight; ultralight, ultralightweight

Rhymes with MASSIVE

passive

mas·sive

adjective \ˈmas-iv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MASSIVE

1

: large in comparison to what is typical—used especially of medical dosage or of an infective agent <a massive dose of penicillin>

2

: being extensive and severe—used of a pathologic condition <a massive hemorrhage> <a massive collapse of a lung>