bulky - Master This Word

bulky Word Meanings

• large and heavy
• taking up a lot of space
• clumsy or awkward in size

bulky Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• The box is too bulky to carry.
• He bought a bulky sweater for winter.
• The bulky table takes up a lot of space.
• She found a bulky backpack for school.
• The dog is too bulky to fit in the small car.

bulky Word Etymology

bulky = bulk + -y, from Middle English 'bulke' (mass or size) → Old French → English. Imagine a giant package that is difficult to carry, highlighting its size and weight.

Real Context

Bulky describes something large in size and heavy enough to be cumbersome, often implying impractical dimensions or mass. It can refer to objects that take up a lot of space or feel awkward to handle, such as a bulky suitcase or bulky furniture. In everyday speech, bulky is more neutral than words like heavy or massive, and it implies inconvenience rather than extreme power. The word can also describe processes or systems that are inefficient or laborious due to their size. Notably, bulky carries a tactile sense: you notice the heft and struggle of moving it, rather than merely its dimensions.

Usage Reminders

• - Often collocates with nouns: bulky furniture, bulky equipment
• - Not usually used for people; use 'big' or 'stout' instead in casual talk
• - Emphasizes difficulty of handling, not just size or weight
• - Compare with heavy, massive, or oversized for nuance
• - Appropriate in both everyday and technical writing when size is a problem

Common Misconceptions

• Confusing bulky with very heavy, as weight alone defines it
• Assuming bulky always means extremely large in all contexts
• Using bulky to describe people or their personality
• Thinking bulky only applies to objects, not processes or systems
• Mistaking bulky for 'bulbous' or other similar-sounding words

Thinking Differences

Bulky is about inconvenience in handling, not just size. English learners should notice it often collocates with furniture and equipment, signaling a hindrance in moving or using something rather than simply being large.

Learning Tips

• Pair bulky with common objects (bulky suitcase, bulky furniture) to memorize usage
• Compare with heavy, big, and massive to feel subtle differences
• Use in both everyday and technical contexts for practice
• Notice collocations like bulky item, bulky package, bulky process
• Practice describing yourself vs objects; avoid people when possible
• Listen for native speakers using bulky in headlines or product descriptions

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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