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

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

Examples of bulky in a Sentence

a big, bulky football player

bulky packages might cost more to mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Universal Thread Suede Bubble Jacket Cropped jackets are perfect as a lightweight layer that doesn’t feel bulky. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025

With a button-up design and midweight fabric, denim shirts offer just enough warmth for layering without feeling bulky. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Next to these, Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold appears bulky and utilitarian, which doesn't do it any favors. —Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025

But as someone who lives in an NYC apartment and doesn’t have the worries of car ownership or a pet to clean up after, the machine felt bulky and impractical for my lifestyle. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025

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