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

Known as a clothing fixer, micro stitch tool, or basting gun, this lightweight gadget of many names doesn’t require batteries, electricity, or a bulky sewing machine to quick-fix popped stitches. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2025

Filming our own videos as kids with our parents’ bulky handheld cameras. —Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 May 2025

Cut or chop the bulky ingredients just enough to make the work of the blender easier. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025

Due to Demna’s underground proclivities, the brand became famous within streetwear circles, prized for its oversize tailoring, bulky footwear, slogan knits and distressed jeans. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 May 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