bulky

/ˈbʌlki/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbʌlki/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbəl-kē also ˈbu̇l-/ (ame, mw)

bulky — adjective

  • bulkypositive
  • bulkiercomparative
  • bulkiestsuperlative

1. describes an object that is big and awkward, so it occupies a lot of room and is

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes an object that is big and awkward, so it occupies a lot of room and is hard to lift, push, or fit through doorways.

例句

Bilal struggled to carry the bulky television up three flights of stairs.

predicative use: object that is hard to carry

Their old sofa was too bulky to fit through the front door.

pattern: too bulky to + verb

同義詞
  • cumbersome

    more formal; emphasises awkwardness more than size

  • unwieldy

    stresses that something is hard to control or handle, often because of shape

  • oversized

    neutral; simply means larger than standard, without the 'hard to move' nuance

反義詞
  • compact

    small and well-arranged so it takes little space

  • portable

    designed to be carried easily

文法句型

a bulky + [object noun]

too bulky to + [verb]

用法筆記

Subject is usually a physical object (furniture, parcels, equipment) rather than a person. The focus is on awkward size, not weight alone — a bulky parcel may be light if it is mostly air.

常見錯誤

❌The book is bulky to read.
✅The book is too bulky to carry on the train.
💡'bulky' describes the trouble of moving or storing something, not the trouble of using it.

2. describes a person or animal with a broad, heavy body — tall and wide rather tha

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person or animal with a broad, heavy body — tall and wide rather than slim — often hinting at physical strength.

例句

A bulky security guard blocked the doorway with crossed arms.

attributive use describing a person

Chidi has grown bulky from years of lifting weights at the gym.

linking verb + bulky: change in body shape

同義詞
  • burly

    specifically muscular and strong; usually positive

  • hefty

    informal; suggests heavy and solid without focus on strength

  • stocky

    short and broadly built; emphasises proportions

反義詞
  • slender

    thin in an attractive, graceful way

  • lean

    thin with little body fat; often suggests fitness

文法句型

a bulky + [person noun]

bulky figure / frame / build

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or large animal. Distinguish from sense 1 (objects): we say 'a bulky package' but 'a bulky man'. Calling someone bulky can sound rude — speakers often soften it to 'a bulky build' or 'broad-shouldered'.

常見錯誤

❌She is fat and bulky.
✅She has a bulky frame from years of swimming.
💡'bulky' suggests muscle or broad bone structure, not just extra fat; pairing it with 'fat' sounds insulting.

3. describes clothes that are loose-fitting or made from thick fabric, so they add

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes clothes that are loose-fitting or made from thick fabric, so they add a noticeable layer around the wearer.

例句

Vinícius wore a bulky winter coat that made even narrow corridors feel tight.

attributive use with clothing noun

The skiers stuffed their bulky jackets into a single corner of the cabin.

collocation: bulky jacket

同義詞
  • chunky

    informal; often positive in fashion — describes thick knitwear

  • padded

    filled with soft material for warmth; narrower than 'bulky'

  • thick

    general; refers to depth of fabric rather than overall size

反義詞
  • lightweight

    thin and easy to wear in warm weather

  • slim-fit

    cut close to the body with little extra fabric

文法句型

bulky + [clothing noun]

用法筆記

Subject is a clothing or textile item (coat, jacket, sweater, scarf). Cause is either loose cut or thick material — sometimes both. Distinguish from sense 1 (general objects): a bulky jumper belongs here, while a bulky suitcase belongs in sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌I want a bulky T-shirt.
✅I want a loose-fitting T-shirt.
💡'bulky' suggests serious added thickness, more suited to winter coats and woollen sweaters than to a thin summer top.