What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wholesale
Example
The store buys its inventory wholesale from distributors. [wholesale: adverb]
Example
We offer wholesale prices for customers who buy in bulk. [wholesale: adjective]
mass
Example
The company produces mass quantities of its popular product. [mass: adjective]
Example
There was a mass of people waiting outside the concert venue. [mass: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mass is more commonly used than wholesale in everyday language. Mass is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while wholesale is more specific to business transactions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wholesale and mass?
Both wholesale and mass can be used in formal and informal contexts, but wholesale is more likely to be used in a business or commercial setting.