Words / B1

MAS/mæs/

Mass as a noun is a large amount; as an adjective it means involving many people: mass unemployment; a mass gathering. Massive is already in the dictionary and stresses size. A Mass (capital M) can be a church service — do not mix the senses.

Meaning

A large amount or number of something; mass as an adjective means involving many people.

Examples

• “Mass unemployment followed the plant closure on Teesside.”
• “A mass gathering on the square still needs a licence, which is the crowd sense.”

Good to know

mass + unemployment / gathering / protest. Related: massive (size). Church: Mass. Labour-market / public-order news. Uncountable in physics (mass); countable a mass of + noun.

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