What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mass
Example
The mass of the rock was too heavy to lift. [mass: noun]
Example
There was a mass of people waiting outside the concert venue. [mass: noun]
Example
The elephant's massive body made it difficult to move. [massive: adjective]
bulk
Example
The bulk of the shipment was made up of books. [bulk: noun]
Example
I need to buy bulk quantities of flour for my bakery. [bulk: adjective]
Example
The bodybuilder's muscular bulk was impressive. [bulk: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bulk is more commonly used than mass in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mass and bulk?
Mass is generally considered more formal than bulk, as it is often used in scientific or technical contexts.
