bulky

1 of 2

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

bulkiness

2 of 2

noun

bulk·​i·​ness ˈbəl-kē-nəs also ˈbu̇l- 

plural -es

: the quality or state of having bulk or being bulky

Synonyms of bulky

Adjective

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

Examples of bulky in a Sentence

Adjective

a big, bulky football player

bulky packages might cost more to mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

French gendarmes buzzed around in motorboats off the coast of Evian on Saturday, and one officer hoisted up a bulky drone-interception device in a display of the security measures being rolled out for the summit. —ABC News, 14 June 2026

The otherwise contemporary firm HOK’s interpretation features a row of square columns bookended by two bulky, mausoleum-like volumes — a kind of architectural equivalent to armored power shoulders. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

But is the bulky item pick-up process easy and affordable enough for every resident? —CBS News, 12 June 2026

While their bodies can deform and bend, their hearts, the pumps that keep them moving, have remained bulky and rigid. —New Atlas, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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