looking massive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking massive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears large or imposing, often in a visual or metaphorical context. Example: "The new skyscraper is looking massive against the city skyline, dominating the view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By the meal's end, the moon, looking massive in the low sky, illuminated the river below the restaurant's windows, and we knew we had succeeded in satisfying both our stomachs and our eyes.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the binoculars they did look massive.

The Guardian - Travel

"The bones look massive," he said, "and they are strong, but very, very light".

The New York Times - Science

Mr Bonte equates radicalisation and terrorism to an iceberg: it may look massive, but it can still melt.

Independent

The sky and the ground both looked massive, and unending, and the warm stones around us crumbled in our hands.

The Guardian

The Treasury said they do not want to publish the figure "because the economy grows so much the number looks massive... it confuses people".

The Guardian

I'm not sure if it's the camera angle or not, but the pitch looks massive. 2 min: Antonio Valencia embarks on the first sortie of note, galloping down the right wing, before sending the ball inside to Fabio.

The Guardian - Sport

Otisville is considered a "medium sized" prison in the American system, but as it seems to occupy the whole side of a long hill, and is surrounded by miles of fences and razor wire, it looks massive.

The Guardian

It was made to look massive by its stone towers and by the increased spacing of the two chords at the support, yet structurally the towers serve no purpose; the lower chord of the arch is actually hinged at the abutments, and all of the load is carried to the foundations by that lower chord.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This time, though, the gulf in class looked massive.

BBC

He was a big person anyway, but standing 22 yards away he looked massive.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking massive" to emphasize the visual impact of something large and imposing. For instance, 'The mountain range was looking massive against the clear blue sky.'

Common error

Avoid using "looking massive" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'appearing substantial' or 'seeming significant'.

Linguistic Context

Looking" functions as a present participle modifying the subject, while "massive" acts as an adjective describing the apparent size or scale. Ludwig confirms its correctness, with examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking massive" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that appears large, imposing, or significant. Ludwig's analysis, combined with real-world examples, demonstrates its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use more precise terms in highly formal or academic writing. Consider semantically similar alternatives such as "appearing enormous" or "seeming gigantic" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing enormous

Focuses on sheer size, emphasizing visual magnitude.

seeming gigantic

Implies an almost mythical or exaggerated sense of size.

looking immense

Similar to 'enormous' but can also suggest grandeur.

appearing substantial

Emphasizes solidity and weight rather than just size.

looking formidable

Highlights the impression of being powerful and intimidating.

seeming imposing

Focuses on creating a strong and impressive presence.

appearing considerable

Indicates a significant amount or degree.

looking significant

Highlights the importance or consequence of something.

seeming monumental

Suggests a lasting and historically important impact.

appearing oversized

Implies something is larger than its normal or expected size.

FAQs

How can I use "looking massive" in a sentence?

You can use "looking massive" to describe something that appears large and imposing. For example, "The new skyscraper is "looking massive" against the city skyline, dominating the view."

What can I say instead of "looking massive"?

You can use alternatives like "appearing enormous", "seeming gigantic", or "looking immense" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "looking massive" or "appears massive"?

Both ""looking massive"" and "appears massive" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Looking massive" emphasizes the visual impression at a specific moment, while "appears massive" suggests a more general or consistent state.

What's the difference between "looking massive" and "feeling massive"?

"Looking massive" refers to the visual appearance of something being large, while "feeling massive" describes the sensation of something being heavy or substantial. They are used in different contexts to convey different types of impressions.