masses

The word “masses” means ordinary people in general, especially thought of as a large group. In plain terms, big groups of ordinary people, as opposed to a small privileged few.

“Masses” is pronounced MAS-ihz (/ˈmæs.ɪz/ in IPA).

Here is “masses” used in a sentence: “The politician claimed to speak for the masses, not the elite.”

“Masses” is a noun.

“Masses” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Masses” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: ordinary people in general, especially thought of as a large group.

Both refer to ordinary people in general, but 'the masses' pictures them as a single large body and can sound impersonal or dismissive. 'The public' is a more neutral term for people as a whole, especially in relation to services, opinion, or government.

'The masses' means ordinary people in general, imagined as a huge, undefined group across society. A crowd is a specific gathering of people in one place at one time, so it is far smaller and more concrete than the masses.

The phrase is often neutral but can carry a slightly negative or condescending tone, suggesting a faceless multitude rather than distinct individuals. Context and the speaker's attitude decide whether it sounds respectful or dismissive.