bulky
Describes an object that is large and takes up a lot of space, often making it difficult to move or carry. It is frequently used to characterize items that are unwieldy due to their size rather than just their weight.
Examples
3 of 5I need a bigger suitcase because my winter coat is very bulky.
I need a larger bag because my winter jacket takes up too much space.
The delivery of bulky items requires a specialized logistics team.
Shipping large and awkward products needs a specific transport group.
This phone case is so bulky I can't even fit it in my jeans.
This phone cover is so thick and large that it won't fit in my pocket.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Hulk.' He is a 'bulky' superhero who is so large he has trouble fitting through normal doors.
Quick Quiz
The ___________ old television was very difficult to carry up the narrow stairs.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bulky
Examples
I need a bigger suitcase because my winter coat is very bulky.
everydayI need a larger bag because my winter jacket takes up too much space.
The delivery of bulky items requires a specialized logistics team.
formalShipping large and awkward products needs a specific transport group.
This phone case is so bulky I can't even fit it in my jeans.
informalThis phone cover is so thick and large that it won't fit in my pocket.
Early computers were bulky machines that occupied entire rooms.
academicThe first computers were massive devices that took up whole rooms.
We need to reduce the size of the prototype as it is currently too bulky for retail shelves.
businessThe initial model is too large for store displays and needs to be smaller.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
bulk up
to gain muscle mass or increase in size
in bulk
purchased or handled in large quantities
the bulk of
the majority or the largest part of something
Often Confused With
Heavy refers only to weight, whereas bulky refers specifically to physical size and the space something occupies.
Massive implies great scale and weight, while bulky often implies that the object is awkward or inconvenient to handle.
Usage Notes
Use 'bulky' when the physical size of an object is the main reason it is difficult to manage. It is a neutral-to-negative descriptor often used for clothing, furniture, and electronic hardware.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'bulky' to mean 'fat' when describing people. While it can describe a muscular person who has 'bulked up', it is usually reserved for objects.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Hulk.' He is a 'bulky' superhero who is so large he has trouble fitting through normal doors.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old Norse word 'bulki', meaning a ship's cargo or a heap/pile.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The ___________ old television was very difficult to carry up the narrow stairs.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bulky
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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