Mass vs. People — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
Mass often refers to a large group with collective attributes, while people indicates individuals or groups with specific identities.
Difference Between Mass and People
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mass typically implies a large, indistinct group, used often in contexts emphasizing size or lack of individuality. People, on the other hand, refers more specifically to individuals or groups of humans, usually highlighting their distinctiveness or shared characteristics.
In sociology, mass is used to describe groups in terms of influence or direction, like in "mass movement". Whereas people is used to denote communities or populations with common attributes or identities, as in "indigenous people".
In communication, the term mass might be used in "mass media", which refers to the dissemination of information to a wide audience. People is employed to denote the human element, such as in discussions about the impact on people's lives.
When considering behavior, mass often suggests a herd mentality or collective behavior without individual distinction. In contrast, people emphasizes individual actions within a group setting.
In political terms, mass can imply a manipulated or passive group, as seen in the concept of "mass mobilization". People, however, often carries a more active and engaged connotation, such as in "power to the people".
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A large group considered as a whole
Individuals or groups with specific identities
Usage in context
"Mass production", "mass hysteria"
"People's choice", "indigenous people"
Connotation
Often impersonal or homogenous
Personal and diverse
Societal role
Seen in contexts of influence and anonymity
Highlights engagement and distinct communities
Example in phrase
"Mass appeal"
"People of the world"
Compare with Definitions
Mass
Pertaining to, involving, or affecting a large number of people.
Mass transit is essential in urban areas.
People
Individuals with particular characteristics or attributes.
People with blue eyes are less than 10% of the world’s population.
Mass
A large body of matter with no definite shape.
The mass of the sculpture was impressive.
People
Human beings in general or considered collectively.
The park was crowded with people.
Mass
A large number of people or objects crowded together.
The mass gathered at the concert.
People
The members of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group.
The French people are known for their cuisine.
Mass
The majority or the greater part of something.
The mass of the evidence supports his claim.
People
To fill with human beings.
The story peopled her imagination with fantastic beings.
Mass
To assemble or cause to assemble into a mass.
The fans massed outside the stadium.
People
The body of persons who are citizens of a particular government.
The people voted in the elections.
Mass
Mass is both a property of a physical body and a measure of its resistance to acceleration (rate of change of velocity with respect to time) when a net force is applied. An object's mass also determines the strength of its gravitational attraction to other bodies.
People
A people is a plurality of persons considered as a whole, as is the case with an ethnic group, nation or the public of a polity.
Mass
The celebration of the Christian Eucharist, especially in the Roman Catholic Church
We went to Mass
People
Human beings in general or considered collectively
The earthquake killed 30,000 people
People think I'm mad
Mass
Involving or affecting large numbers of people or things
A mass exodus of refugees
The film has mass appeal
People
The members of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group
The native peoples of Canada
Mass
Assemble or cause to assemble into a single body or mass
Both countries began massing troops in the region
Clouds massed heavily on the horizon
People
The supporters or employees of a person in a position of power or authority
I've had my people watching the house for some time now
Mass
Public celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant churches.
People
(of a group of people) inhabit (a place)
An arid mountain region peopled by warring clans
Mass
The sacrament of the Eucharist.
People
Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds
People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
Mass
A musical setting of certain parts of the Mass, especially the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.
People
The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the
"those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
Mass
A unified body of matter with no specific shape
A mass of clay.
People
A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
Mass
A grouping of individual parts or elements that compose a unified body of unspecified size or quantity
"Take mankind in mass, and for the most part, they seem a mob of unnecessary duplicates" (Herman Melville).
People
The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
Mass
A large but nonspecific amount or number
A mass of bruises.
People
Pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language
The peoples of central Asia.
Mass
A lump or aggregate of coherent material
A cancerous mass.
People
Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group
City people.
Farming people.
Mass
The principal part; the majority
The mass of the continent.
People
Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer
The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
Mass
The physical volume or bulk of a solid body.
People
A person's family, relatives, or ancestors
Where are your people from?.
Mass
Abbr. m(Physics) A property of matter equal to the measure of the amount of matter contained in or constituting a physical body that partly determines the body's resistance to changes in the speed or direction of its motion. The mass of an object is not dependent on gravity and therefore is different from but proportional to its weight.
People
(Informal) Animals or other beings distinct from humans
Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
Mass
An area of unified light, shade, or color in a painting.
People
To settle or inhabit with people; populate.
Mass
(Pharmacology) A thick, pasty mixture containing drugs from which pills are formed.
People
To be present in or on (a place)
"The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
Mass
Masses The body of common people or people of low socioeconomic status
"Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" (Emma Lazarus).
People
Used as plural of person; a body of human beings considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
There were so many people at the restaurant last night.
Mass
To gather or be gathered into a mass.
People
(countable) Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc.
Mass
Of, relating to, characteristic of, directed at, or attended by a large number of people
Mass education.
Mass communication.
People
A group of persons regarded as being employees, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler.
Mass
Done or carried out on a large scale
Mass production.
People
One's colleagues or employees.
Mass
Total; complete
The mass result is impressive.
People
A person's ancestors, relatives or family.
My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War.
Mass
(physical) Matter, material.
People
The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens.
Mass
A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size.
People
Plural of person.
Mass
(obsolete) Precious metal, especially gold or silver.
People
(transitive) To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
Mass
(physics) The quantity of matter which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume. It is one of four fundamental properties of matter. SI unit of mass: kilogram.
People
(intransitive) To become populous or populated.
Mass
(pharmaceutical drug) A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass.
People
(transitive) To inhabit; to occupy; to populate.
Mass
(medicine) A palpable or visible abnormal globular structure; a tumor.
People
To interact with people; to socialize.
Mass
(bodybuilding) Excess body weight, especially in the form of muscle hypertrophy.
People
The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The ants are a people not strong.
Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
Earth's monarchs are her peoples.
A government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.
Mass
(proscribed) weight
People
Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; - sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.
People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water.
Mass
A large quantity; a sum.
People
The mass of community as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
Mass
Bulk; magnitude; body; size.
People
One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
Mass
The principal part; the main body.
People
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams.
Mass
A large body of individuals, especially persons.
The mass of spectators didn't see the infraction on the field.
A mass of ships converged on the beaches of Dunkirk.
People
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively;
Old people
There were at least 200 people in the audience
Mass
(in the plural) The lower classes of persons.
The masses are revolting.
People
The body of citizens of a state or country;
The Spanish people
Mass
(Christianity) The Eucharist, now especially in Roman Catholicism.
People
The common people generally;
Separate the warriors from the mass
Power to the people
Mass
(Christianity) Celebration of the Eucharist.
People
Members of a family line;
His people have been farmers for generations
Are your people still alive?
Mass
The sacrament of the Eucharist.
People
Fill with people or supply with inhabitants;
People a room
The government wanted to populate the remote area of the country
Mass
A musical setting of parts of the mass.
People
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Mass
(transitive) To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective body; to bring together into masses; to assemble.
Mass
(intransitive) To assemble in a mass
Mass
To celebrate mass.
Mass
Involving a mass of things; concerning a large quantity or number.
There is evidence of mass extinctions in the distant past.
Mass
Involving a mass of people; of, for, or by the masses.
Mass unemployment resulted from the financial collapse.
Mass
The sacrifice in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the host.
Mass
The portions of the Mass usually set to music, considered as a musical composition; - namely, the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, besides sometimes an Offertory and the Benedictus.
Mass
A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size; as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or water.
If it were not for these principles, the bodies of the earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in them, would grow cold and freeze, and become inactive masses.
A deep mass of continual sea is slower stirredTo rage.
Mass
A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass.
Mass
A large quantity; a sum.
All the mass of gold that comes into Spain.
He had spent a huge mass of treasure.
Mass
Bulk; magnitude; body; size.
This army of such mass and charge.
Mass
The principal part; the main body.
Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of the fugitives in their escape.
Mass
The quantity of matter which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume.
Mass
To celebrate Mass.
Mass
To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective body; to bring together into masses; to assemble.
But mass them together and they are terrible indeed.
Mass
The property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
Mass
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Mass
An ill-structured collection of similar things (objects or people)
Mass
(Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Churches) the celebration of the Eucharist
Mass
A body of matter without definite shape;
A huge ice mass
Mass
The common people generally;
Separate the warriors from the mass
Power to the people
Mass
The property of something that is great in magnitude;
It is cheaper to buy it in bulk
He received a mass of correspondence
The volume of exports
Mass
A musical setting for a Mass;
They played a Mass composed by Beethoven
Mass
A sequence of prayers constituting the Christian eucharistic rite;
The priest said Mass
Mass
Join together into a mass or collect or form a mass;
Crowds were massing outside the palace
Mass
Occurring widely (as to many people);
Mass destruction
Mass
Gathered or tending to gather into a mass or whole;
Aggregate expenses include expenses of all divisions combined for the entire year
The aggregated amount of indebtedness
Common Curiosities
How does the concept of "people" enrich our understanding of culture?
The concept of "people" enriches our understanding of culture by focusing on the diverse identities, traditions, and values that distinct groups or communities hold.
What is the origin of the term "mass" when referring to groups?
The term "mass" in reference to groups comes from the idea of a large bulk or multitude, often perceived as a singular entity without individual differentiation.
Can the term "mass" ever convey a positive connotation?
Yes, "mass" can convey a positive connotation in contexts like "mass cooperation" or "mass support," where the emphasis is on widespread collective effort or agreement.
How does the legal system view "mass" versus "people"?
The legal system generally uses "people" to refer to the citizens or residents it protects and represents, whereas "mass" might be used to describe large, undifferentiated groups in case studies or class action contexts.
In what ways are "mass" and "people" used differently in marketing?
In marketing, "mass" is used to describe broad strategies aimed at large groups, such as mass marketing, while "people" is used to tailor messages to specific demographic or cultural groups.
How do different academic fields interpret the term "mass"?
Different academic fields interpret "mass" variously, such as in physics (a measure of matter), sociology (large groups), and media studies (large audiences).
How do religious contexts differentiate between "mass" and "people"?
In religious contexts, "mass" might refer to large gatherings or rites (like Mass in Christianity), whereas "people" often refers to followers or believers as distinct individuals or groups within the faith.
Why is it important to distinguish between "mass" and "people" in political discourse?
Distinguishing between "mass" and "people" in political discourse is crucial because it affects how we view agency, engagement, and the capacity of groups to influence or enact change.
How can understanding the difference between "mass" and "people" affect community planning?
Understanding the difference can impact community planning by recognizing the need for individualized approaches to meet diverse community needs versus broad, one-size-fits-all solutions.
How do historical perspectives on "mass" and "people" differ?
Historically, "mass" often depicted large groups influenced by pivotal events or trends, while "people" focused on the roles and experiences of individuals or identifiable groups throughout history.
What role does the media play in shaping the perception of "mass" and "people"?
The media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions, often using "mass" to describe general trends or behaviors and "people" to highlight individual stories or voices within larger narratives.
What implications do "mass" and "people" have in crisis management?
In crisis management, "mass" may refer to large numbers affected by a crisis needing generalized solutions, while "people" highlights tailored responses to individual or group-specific needs.
What are the challenges of transitioning from addressing "mass" to "people" in policies?
Transitioning from addressing "mass" to "people" in policies can be challenging due to the need for more detailed data, greater specificity in policy-making, and increased resources to cater to diverse groups effectively.
Is there a psychological impact of referring to a group as "mass" instead of "people"?
Yes, referring to a group as "mass" can depersonalize individuals, potentially leading to feelings of anonymity or loss of personal identity, whereas "people" emphasizes individuality and personal relevance.
How do "mass" and "people" relate to social media usage?
On social media, "mass" can describe widespread phenomena or trends, while "people" focuses on personal interactions, individual posts, or community engagement.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
