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

The company plans to begin with categories such as bulky home goods and gradually add products from more online shops. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

For footwear, pick an athletic shoe that protects your toes and feet and has non-bulky, rubber soles. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026

Steve Kang, president of the Board of Public Works, said the city recently launched a rapid-response team dedicated to Koreatown to pick up bulky items and address other forms of blight. — Hanna Kang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Some are made to store documents; others are large enough for bulky items like a baby blanket. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 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