bulk
/bʌlk/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌlk] /bʌlk/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈʌlk] /ˈbəlk also ˈbu̇lk/ (ame, mw)
bulk — noun
- bulksingular
- bulksplural
1. the largest part of something, especially when much less is left outside it.
the largest part of something, especially when much less is left outside it.
The bulk of the damage came from water leaking through the basement wall.
the bulk of + damage/problem
The bulk of our class lives close enough to walk to school.
By noon, the bulk of the crowd had already entered the stadium.
The bulk of Emily's pay disappears into rent before the month begins.
文法句型
the bulk of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Nearly always followed by 'of' before a group, amount, or task. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense points to the largest share of one whole, not to goods handled in quantity.
常見錯誤
2. the state of being bought, stored, or moved in one large amount rather than as m
the state of being bought, stored, or moved in one large amount rather than as many small separate units.
The cafe buys rice in bulk and stores it in tall plastic bins.
buy something in bulk
Our school prints worksheets in bulk before the first week of term.
The factory ships screws in bulk to bicycle makers across Taiwan.
Because soap was cheaper in bulk, Lien split the order with neighbors.
- small lots
separate small amounts instead of one large amount
- retail units
individual pieces sold one by one
文法句型
in bulk
buy/order/store + something + in bulk
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in bulk' after buy, order, sell, or store. Distinguish from the adjective sense: this noun phrase describes the manner of handling goods, not a noun directly modified by bulk.
常見錯誤
3. the amount of size, weight, or space that something has.
the amount of size, weight, or space that something has.
The winter coat had plenty of warmth without the bulk of a parka.
without the bulk of + noun
Ravindra struggled with the bulk of the rolled carpet on the stairs.
The tablet adds less bulk to my bag than the old laptop.
Even folded flat, the tent had too much bulk for one backpack.
- compactness
small size that is easy to carry or store
- lightness
lack of heavy weight
文法句型
without the bulk of + noun
add/reduce + the bulk of + noun
用法筆記
Often follows words like without, extra, reduce, or add when you compare how much space or heaviness something brings. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense names the quality of size or weight, not the large thing itself.
4. a very large person or thing seen as a heavy shape that fills space or stands ou
a very large person or thing seen as a heavy shape that fills space or stands out strongly.
From the beach, we could see the dark bulk of the ferry.
the dark bulk of + large object
Christopher lowered his bulk into the tiny taxi and laughed at the squeak.
The black bulk of the storm cloud hid the last orange light.
At the gate, the horse's bulk made the children step back.
文法句型
the bulk of + large object
somebody's + bulk + verb phrase
用法筆記
Usually refers to a person or thing noticed as a large physical presence. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 4 is the big body or shape itself, while sense 3 is the amount of size or weight.
bulk — adjective
- bulkpositive
- bulkercomparative
- bulkestsuperlative
1. sold, stored, or moved in large amounts without being split into small packages
sold, stored, or moved in large amounts without being split into small packages or units.
The restaurant keeps bulk flour in labeled tubs behind the kitchen door.
bulk + material noun
Eri compared bulk prices online before ordering coffee beans for the cafe.
bulk prices
A bulk shipment of soap arrived before the hotel opened for summer.
The farm switched to bulk feed when the calf herd doubled.
文法句型
bulk + material noun
bulk + shipment/order/feed
用法筆記
Usually comes before materials, shipments, or prices linked to large undivided quantities. Distinguish from noun sense 2: this adjective directly modifies a noun, while the noun sense usually appears in the phrase 'in bulk'.
常見錯誤
bulk — verb
- bulkpresent simple I / you / we / they
- bulks3rd person singular
- bulking-ing form
- bulkedpast simple
1. to swell outward, or to make something swell outward so it sticks out more.
to swell outward, or to make something swell outward so it sticks out more.
Extra foam bulked the package so it would not crush in transit.
bulk + object
By evening, the wet towels had bulked into a heavy lump.
bulk into + shape
The stitched lining bulked the jacket around the shoulders.
Under the bandage, Sivan's ankle bulked after she missed the last step.
文法句型
bulk + object
bulk + around/in/into + place or shape
用法筆記
Rare in everyday English and usually used for physical swelling or for making something stick out more. It works both transitively and intransitively.