Definition

Much larger than what is normal or typical, especially in size or mass.

Example

The supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy is millions of times heavier than the sun.

Conversation

Did you hear about that supermassive black hole they discovered?

Yeah, I read about it! It's incredible how big it is.

I can't believe something supermassive like that exists in our universe.

Right? It makes you think about how small we really are.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Supermassive → It is formed from "super-" (meaning above or beyond) and "massive" (from Latin "massa", meaning a lump or mass). The word "supermassive" describes something that is extremely large or beyond the usual mass, often used in the context of astronomical objects like black holes.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'beyond' ('super-') a 'large mass' ('massive') — that's why supermassive refers to something extremely large.

Visually Confused Words