noun / verb / adjective
bulk
BUHLK/bʌlk/
A large mass or quantity.
The enormous bulk of the rolled carpet dwarfs its carrier.
Etymology
Bulk comes from a Scandinavian source akin to bulki, “heap” or “ship’s cargo.” Its extension to size and volume was helped by confusion with an older English word meaning “belly.”
In context
doesn't add much bulk to my keys, but offers a lot of functionality.
More examples
- We buy rice in bulk to reduce packaging.
- The bulk of the repairs will take place next week.
- Extra padding bulked up the costume's shoulders.
Forms
bulk · bulks · bulked · bulking
bulky adjective — Taking up a large amount of space.
Similar words
- mass
- Emphasizes quantity of matter, while bulk also emphasizes occupied space.