# bulky

/ˈbəɫki/ (US) · /bˈʌlki/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bulky
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

large and difficult to carry or move because of its size or shape. It describes things that take up a lot of space but are not necessarily heavy.

For teachers: having a large volume or size that makes handling, storage, or transport difficult. Often used to describe physical objects that are awkwardly shaped or take up significant space.

## Examples

- The winter coat is too bulky to fit in my small suitcase.
- The delivery driver struggled to get the bulky package through the narrow apartment doorway.
- Modern electronics have replaced bulky vacuum tubes with tiny transistors, allowing devices to become significantly more portable without sacrificing processing power.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be', 'look', or 'feel'.

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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.