a massive man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a man who is large in size or stature, often implying physical strength or presence. Example: "The crowd parted as a massive man approached, his broad shoulders and towering height commanding attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And the day I met him, I thought, "Well, he's a massive man".

The New Yorker

The year is 1535 and Henry is in middle age, "a massive man, bull-necked, his hair receding, face fleshing out".

The Economist

But O'Neal wasn't just pure physicality he was surprisingly graceful for such a massive man and he had a deft touch with his close-range jump shots.

Britannica

Naturally, a minute later, he turned and shouted to no one in particular, "Who's got two tickets?" Within a few moments, a massive man in a Mets hat offered him two tickets for $450.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had begun to think that Gaither was alone in Hamilton Park when a bright-red Hummer lumbered into her driveway, and a massive man with a long gray ponytail and a Harley T-shirt got out.

The New Yorker

In his 2007 book "It's Only a Game: A Life in Sport", O'Neill recalls the reaction he received in 1995 from South African rugby chief Louis Luyt when he questioned the depth of diligence used to arrive at the final $550 million rights figure: "Louis is a massive man, perhaps over 130kg.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He began walking once more through the forest, pointing out what was, increasingly clearly, the remains of a massive man-made landscape.

The New Yorker

But then along came children and I now realise that there is no holiday component that beats the breathless chatter at bath-time of three boys who have spent their every waking second splashing through the tepid waters of a massive man-made lagoon, or their scrabbling into our room each morning to drag us to breakfast so that they can get back to the splashing as soon as possible.

Independent

In Qatar, meanwhile, a massive man-made island anchors a harbor full of luxury yachts.

Huffington Post

Today, as I write this, a massive man-hunt has ended with the terrorists dead, taking even more innocent people along with them.

Huffington Post

It is Christmastime at Camelot, and the chivalrous Knights of the Round Table are carrying on and carousing when suddenly an enormous stranger appears, a hulking interloper, "a most massive man, the mightiest of mortals".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a massive man" to vividly describe someone of great size, strength, or presence in your writing. It can quickly create a strong visual image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive man" in overly formal or academic writing where a more neutral descriptor like "a large man" or "a substantial man" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive man" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "man" with the adjective "massive," providing additional information about the subject's size and physical presence. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a massive man" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a man of significant size, according to Ludwig AI. While generally appropriate for neutral to informal contexts like news articles, it's important to consider the potential for insensitivity and opt for more neutral alternatives like "a large man" in formal settings. Examples found by Ludwig show that the phrase effectively conveys a strong visual image. Keep in mind its communicative purpose to vividly depict someone with considerable physical presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge man

Focuses on the size aspect, implying considerable physical dimensions.

an enormous man

Emphasizes the extreme size and bulk of the person.

a large man

A more general term indicating considerable size without necessarily implying imposing stature.

a bulky man

Highlights the man's large and often muscular build.

a hefty man

Implies the man is heavy and substantial.

a burly man

Suggests a strong and muscular build, often associated with physical labor.

a substantial man

Indicates a significant or considerable size, implying both height and bulk.

a towering man

Focuses on the man's height, suggesting he is significantly taller than average.

an imposing man

Highlights the man's ability to command respect or attention due to his size or presence.

a robust man

Emphasizes the man's strength and health.

FAQs

What does "a massive man" mean?

The phrase "a massive man" describes a man who is very large in size, stature, or build, often implying strength or imposing presence.

What can I say instead of "a massive man"?

You can use alternatives like "a huge man", "a large man", or "an enormous man" depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "a massive man"?

It can be appropriate depending on the context and your intention. However, be mindful that focusing solely on physical size might be perceived as insensitive or objectifying. Consider if the description is relevant and adds value to your writing.

Which is more precise, "a large man" or "a massive man"?

"A massive man" suggests a greater degree of size or bulk than "a large man". "Massive" implies something imposing or very significant in size, while "large" is more general.