The difference between Big and Massive

When used as nouns, big means someone or something that is large in stature, whereas massive means a homogeneous mass of rock, not layered and without an obvious crystal structure.

When used as adjectives, big means of great size, large, whereas massive means of or pertaining to a large mass.


Big is also adverb with the meaning: in a loud manner.

Big is also verb with the meaning: to praise, recommend, or promote.

check bellow for the other definitions of Big and Massive

  1. Big as an adjective:

    Of great size, large.

    Examples:

    "Elephants are big animals, and they eat a lot."

  2. Big as an adjective (of an industry or other field):

    Thought to have undue influence.

    Examples:

    "There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma."

  3. Big as an adjective:

    Popular.

    Examples:

    "That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers."

  4. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Adult.

    Examples:

    "Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen."

  5. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Fat.

    Examples:

    "Gosh, she is big!"

  6. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Important or significant.

    Examples:

    "What's so big about that? I do it all the time."

  7. Big as an adjective (informal, with ''on''):

    Enthusiastic (about).

    Examples:

    "I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you."

  8. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.

    Examples:

    "That's very big of you, thank you!"

    "I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself."

  9. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.

    Examples:

    "Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty."

  10. Big as an adjective (sometimes, figurative):

    Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.

    Examples:

    "She was big with child."

  11. Big as an adjective (informal):

    Examples:

    "You are a big liar.  Why are you in such a big hurry?"

  12. Big as an adjective (of a city):

  13. Big as an adjective (informal, slang, of somebody's age):

    old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.

    Examples:

    "Imagine still watching Pokemon at your big age."

  1. Big as an adverb:

    In a loud manner.

  2. Big as an adverb:

    In a boasting manner.

    Examples:

    "He's always talking big, but he never delivers."

  3. Big as an adverb:

    In a large amount or to a large extent.

    Examples:

    "He won big betting on the croquet championship."

  4. Big as an adverb:

    On a large scale, expansively.

    Examples:

    "You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing."

  5. Big as an adverb:

    Hard.

    Examples:

    "He hit him big and the guy just crumpled."

  1. Big as a noun:

    Someone or something that is large in stature

  2. Big as a noun:

    An important or powerful person; a celebrity; a big name.

  3. Big as a noun (as plural):

    The big leagues, big time.

  4. Big as a noun (BDSM, slang):

  1. Big as a verb (transitive):

    To praise, recommend, or promote.

  1. Big as a verb (transitive, archaic, or, UK, _, dialectal, Northern England, Scotland):

    to inhabit; occupy

  2. Big as a verb (reflexive, archaic, or, UK, _, dialectal, Northern England, Scotland):

    to locate oneself

  3. Big as a verb (transitive, archaic, or, UK, _, dialectal, Northern England, Scotland):

    to build; erect; fashion

  4. Big as a verb (intransitive, archaic, or, UK, _, dialectal, Northern England, Scotland):

    to dwell; have a dwelling

  1. Big as a noun:

    One or more kinds of barley, especially .

  1. Massive as an adjective:

    Of or pertaining to a large mass; weighty, heavy, or bulky.

    Examples:

    "A massive comet or asteroid appears to have ended the era of the dinosaurs."

  2. Massive as an adjective:

    Much larger than normal.

    Examples:

    "Compared to its counterparts from World War II, the Abrams main battle tank is truly massive."

  3. Massive as an adjective:

    Of great significance or import; overwhelming.

    Examples:

    "The enlightenment comprises massive shifts in many areas of Western thought."

  4. Massive as an adjective (mineralogy):

    Not exhibiting crystal form.

  5. Massive as an adjective:

    Of particularly exceptional quality or value; awesome.

    Examples:

    "Did you see Colbert last night? He was massive!"

  6. Massive as an adjective (colloquial, informal, Ireland):

    outstanding, beautiful

    Examples:

    "Your dress is massive, love. Where did you get it?"

  7. Massive as an adjective (informal):

    To a very great extent; total, utter.

  8. Massive as an adjective (physics):

    (of a particle) Possessing mass.

    Examples:

    "Some bosons are massive while others are massless."

  1. Massive as a noun (mineralogy):

    A homogeneous mass of rock, not layered and without an obvious crystal structure.

    Examples:

    "karst massives in western Georgia"

  2. Massive as a noun (slang):

    A group of people from a locality, or sharing a collective aim, interest, etc.

    Examples:

    "Big up to the Croydon massive!"