# massive

/ˈmæsɪv/ (US) · /mˈæsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/massive
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. very large

adjective · CEFR B1

extremely large in size, amount, or degree.

For teachers: exceptionally large in scale, extent, or quantity.

- The company spent a massive amount of money on the new advertising campaign.
- The construction of the dam required a massive investment of both capital and labour, spanning over a decade of intensive engineering.

### 2. heavy and solid

adjective · CEFR B2

having great weight and a solid, strong shape.

For teachers: consisting of a large, heavy, and solid structure or mass.

- The castle was protected by massive stone walls that were three metres thick.
- The cathedral's roof is supported by massive oak beams, each carved from a single ancient tree trunk to ensure structural integrity.

### 3. severe or widespread

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

affecting a large part of the body or being very serious.

For teachers: affecting a significant area or being particularly severe in intensity.

- He was rushed to the hospital after suffering a massive heart attack.
- The patient presented with massive internal bleeding, necessitating an immediate surgical intervention to locate the source of the trauma.

### 4. excellent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

very good or impressive.

For teachers: denoting exceptional quality or value; used as a positive intensifier.

- We had a massive time at the concert last night.
- The local fans thought the performance was absolutely massive, though the critics were somewhat more reserved in their praise.

Usage: Common in Irish English and British youth slang.

### 5. having mass

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

having physical weight or mass.

For teachers: possessing rest mass; not massless.

- Scientists study how massive particles move through space.
- In the standard model of physics, the Higgs boson explains why certain fundamental particles are massive rather than massless.

### 6. a group of people

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · British English

a group of people from the same area or with the same interests.

For teachers: a collective group of people associated with a specific locality or subculture.

- The DJ shouted out to the London massive during the set.
- The festival attracted the jungle massive from across the country, filling the arena with dedicated followers of the genre.

Usage: Often used to refer to fans of a specific music genre or residents of a neighbourhood.

## Examples

- The new stadium is absolutely massive.
- The company reported a massive increase in profits after the new product launch.
- The tectonic shift caused a massive displacement of water, resulting in a series of waves that reached the distant coastline within hours.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.