bulk up

verb

bulked up; bulking up; bulks up

intransitive verb

: to gain weight especially by becoming more muscular

transitive verb

: to cause to bulk up

Examples of bulk up in a Sentence

she bulked up her hair with one hand as she reached for the shears with the other

Recent Examples on the Web

In preparation for his part, Galitzine ate 5,000 calories a day and lifted weights for three hours to bulk up into superhero shape. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

To their credit, the Heat have bulked up numerous draft picks over the years, including a recent social-media post of the physical gains made since Jakucionis was drafted in last year’s first round out of Illinois. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026

Extreme bulks up the graphics processing power with the B390, containing 12 Xe cores. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026

Insoluble fiber bulks up stool, making bowel movements easier to pass, because this fiber does not dissolve in water. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for bulk up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup