massive hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massive hands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe hands that are unusually large or robust, often in a figurative or literal context. Example: "The sculptor's massive hands deftly shaped the clay into a beautiful form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In all there were 34 overs from Panesar, mostly on target, mostly deliveries fizzed from those massive hands.

The Guardian - Sport

"That, I have to say, is nonsense," he said, tightening his massive hands into claws for emphasis.

The New York Times - Magazine

After waiting six hours to talk to me, he waves away apologies with massive hands and a broad grin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was a very elegant man, very strong, with massive hands and white hair, always smoking cigarettes instead of the pipe.

The New York Times

That menacing giant, with a shrunken head and massive hands and feet, appears inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead imagery.

The New York Times

With sleeves rolled up and clutching a bat which looked uncannily small in his massive hands, Bob took guard and saw a "Stern special" loop high into the air, taking some time to return to earth.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He might lock a massive hand around your wrist, too, and grin.

The Economist

Mr. Labastida campaigned with massive hand-outs to voters and networks that pressured government employees to vote for the PRI.

The New York Times

"That was good!" Patterson cheers, while Koko holds a massive hand out to her, as though accepting the praise.

The Washington Post

Research Description: Recent advances in machine learning have led to impressive successes in many domains; however, these methods rely on massive hand-labeled training sets.

Stanford University

The couple's bedroom features a massive hand-carved, custom-made gilded bed from England, extra long to accommodate Mr. Currin's 6-foot-3 frame.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "massive hands" to vividly describe size and potential strength or clumsiness in a character or subject. It adds more impact than simply saying "large hands".

Common error

While "massive hands" can be effective, avoid overuse. Vary your descriptions by using alternatives like "large hands", "powerful hands", or focusing on the hands' function instead of just their size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive hands" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "massive" modifies the noun "hands", providing information about their size or scale. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

13%

Arts

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "massive hands" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a descriptive noun phrase, primarily used to vividly describe the size of hands, often implying strength or a striking physical characteristic. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various forms of writing. While effective, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "large hands" or focusing on the hands' function for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large hands

Focuses on size, a direct synonym.

huge hands

Emphasizes the size even more strongly.

oversized hands

Highlights the disproportionate size.

enormous hands

Stresses the immensity of the hands.

giant hands

Implies a very large size, potentially fantastical.

powerful hands

Shifts the focus to the strength conveyed by the hands.

strong hands

Similar to powerful hands, but emphasizes physical strength.

brawny hands

Implies strong and muscular hands, typically on a man.

hulking hands

Similar to brawny, suggesting large and imposing hands.

clumsy hands

Describes hands that are big but can cause clumsiness.

FAQs

How can I describe someone with "massive hands" in a more nuanced way?

Instead of only focusing on size, try to describe what those hands are used for or what they look like. Do they perform delicate tasks or heavy labor? Are they calloused or smooth? Adding details beyond size will create a stronger image.

What's the difference between "massive hands" and "large hands"?

"Massive hands" implies a size that's exceptionally large and potentially imposing. "Large hands" is a more neutral and less dramatic descriptor. Choose "massive" when you want to emphasize the size to a great degree.

Can "massive hands" be used figuratively?

While primarily literal, "massive hands" can be used figuratively to suggest a powerful influence or control over something. For example, "The government has "a massive hand in" the economy" indicates significant involvement.

Is it appropriate to use "massive hands" in formal writing?

Yes, "massive hands" is appropriate for formal writing as long as it fits the context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. However, consider your audience and whether a more neutral term like "large hands" would be more suitable.