bulky

adjective

ˈbəl-kē 

 also  ˈbu̇l-

bulkier; bulkiest

1

a

: having bulk

b(1)

: large of its kind

(2)

: corpulent

2

: having great volume in proportion to weight

a bulky knit sweater

bulkily

ˈbəl-kə-lē 

adverb

bulkiness

ˈbəl-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• big
• biggish
• boxcar
• considerable
• goodly
• grand
• great
• handsome
• hefty
• hulking
• husky
• large
• largish
• outsize
• outsized
• oversize
• oversized
• sizable
• sizeable
• substantial
• tidy
• voluminous

Examples of bulky in a Sentence

a big, bulky football player

bulky packages might cost more to mail

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers also analyzed how easily astronauts could enter and exit the rovers and operate controls while wearing bulky spacesuit gloves. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

At this point, any serious retro gamer knows that a bulky cathode ray tube (CRT) TV provides the most authentic, lag-free experience for game consoles that predate the era of flat-panel HDTVs (i.e,. —Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024

As a result, such systems are often incorporated into relatively bulky exoskeletons with rigid sections that direct the expansion of the pouches. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024

Ringing in at $50, the style is designed to provide ultimate warmth without feeling heavy or bulky. —Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

bulky

adjective

ˈbəl-kē 

bulkier; bulkiest

1

: large in size or mass

2

: being large and hard to handle

bulkiness noun