Definition of hulk
1a : a heavy clumsy shipb (1) : the body of an old ship unfit for service (2) : a ship used as a prison —usually used in plural every prisoner sent to the hulks — Kenneth Robertsc : an abandoned wreck or shell (as of a building or automobile)
2 : one that is bulky or unwieldy
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Examples of hulk in a Sentence
The ship's rusting hulk is still visible on the rocks.
the burned out hulk of the factory
Origin and Etymology of hulk
Middle English hulke, from Old English hulc, probably from Medieval Latin holcas, from Greek holkas, from helkein to pull — more at sulcus
First Known Use: before 12th century
hulk
Definition of hulk
intransitive verb
1 dialectal, England : to move ponderously
2 : to appear impressively large or massive : loom factories hulked along the river
Circa 1825
First Known Use of hulk
circa 1825
HULK Defined for English Language Learners
hulk
playDefinition of hulk for English Language Learners
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: the main part of something (such as a ship, car, or building) that has been ruined and is no longer used
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: a large person
HULK Defined for Kids
hulk
playDefinition of hulk for Students
1 : a person or thing that is bulky or clumsy
2 : an abandoned wreck or shell of something (as a ship)
Learn More about hulk
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See words that rhyme with hulk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hulk Spanish Central: Translation of hulk Nglish: Translation of hulk for Spanish speakers
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