bulk

¹

[buhlk]

noun

1. magnitude in three dimensions, especially great size or extent: a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

   a ship of massive bulk;

   a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

2. a body or mass, especially a large one: The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

   The humpback whale was pushing its bulk through the water.

   The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

3. the greater part; main mass or body.

   The bulk of the debt was paid.

4. Transportation.,  bulk cargo.

5. fiber.

6. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) thickness, especially in relation to weight.

7. bulk mail.

adjective

1. being or traded in bulk.

   bulk grain.

verb (used without object)

1. to increase in size; expand; swell.

2. to be of or give the appearance of great weight, size, or importance.

   The problem bulks large in his mind.

3. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) to be of or to acquire a specific thickness, especially in relation to weight.

4. to gather, form, or mix into a cohesive or uniform mass.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to swell, grow, or increase in weight or thickness.

2. to gather, bring together, or mix.

verb phrase

1. bulk up,  to increase the bulk of, especially by increasing the thickness of.

   Adding four chapters will bulk up the book.

bulk

²

[buhlk]

noun

Architecture.

1. a structure, as a stall, projecting from the front of a building.

bulk

/ bʌlk /

noun

1. volume, size, or magnitude, esp when great

2. the main part

   the bulk of the work is repetitious

3. a large body, esp of a person

   he eased his bulk out of the chair

4. the part of food which passes unabsorbed through the digestive system

   he eased his bulk out of the chair

5. unpackaged cargo or goods

6. a ship's cargo or hold

7. printing

   1. the thickness of a number of sheets of paper or cardboard

   2. the thickness of a book excluding its covers

8. (plural) copies of newspapers sold in bulk at a discounted price to hotels, airlines, etc which issue them free to their customers

9. 1. in large quantities

   2. (of a cargo, etc) unpackaged

verb

1. to cohere or cause to cohere in a mass

2. to place, hold, or transport (several cargoes of goods) in bulk

3. to be or seem important or prominent

   the problem bulked large in his mind

Usage

The use of a plural noun after bulk was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable

Pronunciation Note

Bulk and bulge most often are pronounced with the vowel of buck. In South Midland and Southern U.S. the of book and bull commonly occurs among all speakers. Standard British speech has only . Both types exist in British regional speech, and both were brought to the colonies, where each came to predominate in a different area and was carried west by migration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulk¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bolke, bulke “heap, cargo, hold,” from Old Norse bulki “cargo, ship's hold”

Origin of bulk²

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Old Norse bálkr “partition, balk”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulk¹

C15: from Old Norse bulki cargo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in bulk,

   1. unpackaged.

      Fresh orange juice is shipped from Florida in bulk.

   2. in large quantities.

      Those who buy in bulk receive a discount.

see in bulk.

Synonym Study

See size ¹.

Example Sentences

Humans have gone from doing all the grinding, welding, machine-operating and parts-moving to overseeing and collaborating with robots who take on the bulk of the tasks.

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The summer months were a time to bulk up or slim down, to polish up the 3-point shot or develop a post-up game.

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Under the agreement, the building must be sold at fair market value, with the bulk of the proceeds going to the Burton estate.

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Bank of America wouldn’t be paid the bulk of its fee until the deal closes, which the companies hope will happen by early 2027 but is far from guaranteed.

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From Ralph Lauren to Levi Strauss and American Eagle Outfitters, retailers have bulked up their inventory, an intentional move to get goods before import tariffs went into effect.

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Related Words

• amount 
• extent 
• quantity 
• total 
• volume 
• weight