bulk
buhlk
Bulk (noun) means the overall size, volume, or mass of something, especially when large. Example: “The bulk of the old wardrobe made it hard to carry upstairs.”
noun
1
The overall size, volume, or mass of something, especially when large.
"The bulk of the old wardrobe made it hard to carry upstairs."
"She was surprised by the sheer bulk of the parcel on the porch."
"The sheer bulk of the cargo ship dwarfed the harbour."
2
The main or largest part of something.
"The bulk of her savings went towards a deposit on a flat."
"The bulk of the work is already finished."
"The bulk of the audience left before the encore."
3
Goods transported or sold in large, unpackaged quantities rather than individually.
"Cafes often buy coffee beans in bulk because it works out cheaper."
"The ship carried grain in bulk rather than in sacks."
"The warehouse buys rice and flour in bulk to cut costs."
verb
1
To deliberately gain muscle and body weight through diet and training.
"She is bulking this winter by eating more and lifting heavier weights."
"Many athletes bulk up in the off-season before training for speed."
"He's bulking before the next competition, then he'll cut down again."
How to use bulk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe overall size or mass of something, the main part of something, or goods in large unpackaged quantities.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the bulk of
buy in bulk
bulk up
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Word forms
- Plural
- bulks
- Third person singular
- bulks
- Past tense
- bulked
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The _____ of the old wardrobe made it hard to carry upstairs.
Etymology
From Old Norse búlki, "the cargo of a ship," related to a Germanic root meaning "heap" or "pile."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bulk
See all rhymes for bulk →Frequently asked questions
What does “bulk” mean?
The word “bulk” means the overall size, volume, or mass of something, especially when large. In plain terms, the overall size or mass of something, the main part of something, or goods in large unpackaged quantities.
How do you pronounce “bulk”?
“Bulk” is pronounced buhlk (/bʌlk/ in IPA).
How do you use “bulk” in a sentence?
Here is “bulk” used in a sentence: “The sheer bulk of the cargo ship dwarfed the harbour.”
What part of speech is “bulk”?
Depending on how it is used, “bulk” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bulk” come from?
The word “bulk” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse búlki, "the cargo of a ship," related to a Germanic root meaning "heap" or "pile.".
Is “bulk” a common word?
“Bulk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “bulk” have?
“Bulk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the overall size, volume, or mass of something, especially when large.
What is the difference between bulk and volume?
Bulk refers to the overall size, mass, or heaviness of something, especially when large and unwieldy. Volume is the precise measurable space an object occupies. Bulk stresses the impression of largeness, while volume is a measurable quantity.
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