adjective
Uncommon
cumbersome
KUHM-buh-suhm
Cumbersome (adjective) means Awkward or difficult to handle, carry, or manage because of size, weight, or complexity. Example: “The old suitcase was heavy and cumbersome to drag through the airport.”
adjective
1
Awkward or difficult to handle, carry, or manage because of size, weight, or complexity.
"The old suitcase was heavy and cumbersome to drag through the airport."
"Filling out the cumbersome paperwork took most of the afternoon."
How to use cumbersome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBulky, awkward, or overly complicated — hard to deal with easily, whether it's an object or a process.
Common pairings
a cumbersome process
cumbersome equipment
cumbersome bureaucracy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more cumbersome
- Superlative
- most cumbersome
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old suitcase was heavy and _____ to drag through the airport.
Etymology
From Middle English cumbersum, built from "cumber" ("hindrance, burden") plus the suffix "-some." Related to "encumber" and "incumbent."
Related words
Rhymes for cumbersome
See all rhymes for cumbersome →Frequently asked questions
What does “cumbersome” mean?
The word “cumbersome” means awkward or difficult to handle, carry, or manage because of size, weight, or complexity. In plain terms, bulky, awkward, or overly complicated — hard to deal with easily, whether it's an object or a process.
How do you pronounce “cumbersome”?
“Cumbersome” is pronounced KUHM-buh-suhm (/ˈkʌmbɚsəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “cumbersome” in a sentence?
Here is “cumbersome” used in a sentence: “The old suitcase was heavy and cumbersome to drag through the airport.”
What is another word for “cumbersome”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cumbersome” include cumbrous, lumpish and unwieldy.
What part of speech is “cumbersome”?
“Cumbersome” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cumbersome” come from?
The word “cumbersome” comes from Middle English. From Middle English cumbersum, built from "cumber" ("hindrance, burden") plus the suffix "-some." Related to "encumber" and "incumbent.".
Is “cumbersome” a common word?
“Cumbersome” is an uncommon word in modern English.
