Definition

Adverb: All together; in a single group or body. This term describes a situation where a large number of people or things act, move, or are considered collectively as one unit.

Usage

The adverb "en masse" is used to emphasize that a group is acting or moving as a whole, not individually. It is typically placed after the verb it modifies.

Examples

• The protesters arrived at the city hall.
• After the concert, the fans left the stadium .
• The committee resigned to protest the new policy.

Advanced Usage

• Formal and Journalistic Tone: "En masse" is often used in formal writing, journalism, and historical accounts to describe collective action by groups, crowds, or institutions.
  • The delegates voted en masse in favor of the resolution.

Variants and Related Words

• Mass (noun): A large number of people or objects gathered together.
  • A mass of protesters gathered in the square.
• En bloc (adverb): As a whole; all together. This is a close synonym, often used in similar contexts, particularly in formal or political language.
  • The amendments were rejected en bloc.

Synonyms

• All together
• As a group
• As one
• In a body
• Collectively

Idioms and Phrases

While "en masse" itself is a borrowed French phrase used as an idiom in English, it is not typically part of larger English idiomatic constructions. Its meaning is fixed as "all together."

Adverb

1. all together
   • the students turned out en masse