masses vs following

masses and following both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
masses	Yes	No	No	No
following	Yes	Yes	No	No

As nouns, following is a hyponym of masses; that is, following is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than masses:

Other hyponyms of masses include laity, temporalty, audience, followers.

masses (noun)	following (noun)
the common people generally	the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
	a group of followers or enthusiasts

masses (adjective)	following (adjective)
	going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction
	in the desired direction
	about to be mentioned or specified
	immediately following in time or order