# cumbersome

/ˈkəmbɝsəm/ (US) · /kˈʌmbəsˌʌm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cumbersome
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

heavy or difficult to carry or use because of its size or weight. It can also describe a process that is slow and complicated.

For teachers: large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped, making it difficult to handle or manage. Often describes physical objects or abstract systems that are inefficient and slow.

## Examples

- The old printer is too cumbersome to move by myself.
- The new software was supposed to help, but the login process is so cumbersome that nobody uses it.
- While the ancient armor provided excellent protection, its cumbersome weight made it nearly impossible for the soldiers to retreat quickly across the muddy battlefield.

## Usage notes

- Often used to describe physical objects, but frequently applied to abstract concepts like bureaucracy, legislation, or procedures.

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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.