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 of bulky

• large
• sizable
• substantial
• oversize
• considerable
• big
• handsome
• huge

Examples of bulky in a Sentence

a big, bulky football player

bulky packages might cost more to mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Donation allows these bulky items to be reused and keeps them out of the waste stream longer. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026

Security footage shown at trial was presented by Baker, who pointed out that the defendants covered cameras with various materials and stacked bulky objects and furniture to block doors. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026

Luther said that in response to demand from younger customers, the men’s bags are being made smaller as the amount of paper and other products guys carry around today is not as bulky. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026

As those bulky products break down, the organic acids and other byproducts improve soil even more. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for bulky

• sulky

Kids Definition

bulky

adjective

ˈbəl-kē 

bulkier; bulkiest

1

: large in size or mass

2

: being large and hard to handle

bulkiness noun