mass
24 synonyms and 0 antonyms for mass, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large body or quantity of matter without a definite shape.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use mass
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French masse, from Latin massa, "lump" or "dough," ultimately from Greek — a doublet of "masa."
Full origin of mass →Frequently asked questions
What does “mass” mean?
The word “mass” means a large body or quantity of matter without a definite shape. In plain terms, a large lump or quantity of something, the physics measure of matter, or a Catholic church service, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “mass”?
“Mass” is pronounced mas (/mæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “mass” in a sentence?
Here is “mass” used in a sentence: “A mass of dark clouds rolled in from the west.”
What part of speech is “mass”?
Depending on how it is used, “mass” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “mass” come from?
The word “mass” comes from Latin. From Old French masse, from Latin massa, "lump" or "dough," ultimately from Greek — a doublet of "masa.".
Is “mass” a common word?
“Mass” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mass” have?
“Mass” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large body or quantity of matter without a definite shape.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
In physics, mass is the amount of matter in an object and stays the same everywhere. Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass, so it changes with location. On the Moon your mass is unchanged, but your weight is far less because gravity there is weaker.
Does a mass have a definite shape?
In this sense, no. A mass is matter grouped together in bulk without a fixed or regular form, such as a mass of dough, a mass of storm clouds, or a mass of people. That shapeless, gathered quality is what separates a "mass" from a neatly defined object.
What are the different meanings of the word mass?
Besides a shapeless quantity of matter, "mass" can mean the physical amount of matter in an object in physics, a large number of people as in "the masses" or "a mass of fans," and, when capitalized, a religious service. The surrounding context makes the intended sense clear.
What is an example of a mass?
A dark mass of clouds gathering on the horizon, a tangled mass of wires behind a desk, or a solid mass of rock all fit the sense: a large quantity of matter grouped together in bulk, without a clear or defined shape of its own.