# bulk out

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bulk-out
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to add substance to a text or idea

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to make a piece of writing or an idea longer or more detailed by adding more information.

For teachers: to increase the length or substance of a document, argument, or plan by adding supplementary material.

- I need to bulk out my essay with a few more examples before I hand it in.
- The researcher decided to bulk out the literature review section to ensure the theoretical framework appeared sufficiently robust for the committee.

Usage: Transitive; the object can be placed between 'bulk' and 'out' or after the particle.

Teaching tip: Often carries a slight nuance of adding material just to meet a requirement, similar to 'padding'.

### 2. to increase physical volume

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to make something physically larger or thicker by adding more of a substance.

For teachers: to increase the physical mass or volume of an object or mixture by adding filler or additional ingredients.

- You can bulk out the soup by adding some extra potatoes and carrots.
- The manufacturer used cereal grains to bulk out the processed meat products, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining volume.

Usage: Commonly used in cooking and manufacturing contexts.

### 3. to gain muscle or body mass

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make your body bigger or more muscular through exercise and eating more.

For teachers: to increase one's body mass or muscularity, typically through a combination of hypertrophy training and caloric surplus.

- He spent the winter at the gym trying to bulk out his shoulders.
- After months of intensive weightlifting and a high-protein diet, the athlete managed to bulk out significantly for the upcoming season.

Usage: Can be used both transitively (to bulk out a specific muscle) and intransitively.

Teaching tip: In modern fitness contexts, 'bulk up' is more common, but 'bulk out' is frequently used for specific body parts.

## Examples

- You can bulk out the soup by adding some extra potatoes.
- The author had to bulk out the final chapter with extra descriptions to meet the publisher's word count.
- Food manufacturers often bulk out processed meats with cereal fillers to reduce production costs while maintaining the appearance of a full portion.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: connect this to the noun 'bulk' (large size); it often carries a slight negative nuance of adding 'filler' rather than high-quality content.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.