cumbersome

[ kuhm-ber-suhm ]

adjective

1. burdensome; troublesome.

   Synonyms: onerous, weighty, heavy

2. unwieldy; clumsy.

   Synonyms: awkward

cumbersome

/ ˈkʌmbəsəm; ˈkʌmbrəs /

adjective

1. awkward because of size, weight, or shape

   cumbersome baggage

2. difficult because of extent or complexity

   cumbersome accounts

Derived Forms

• ˈcumbersomely, adverb
• ˈcumbersomeness, noun

Other Words From

• cumber·some·ly adverb
• cumber·some·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbersome¹

First recorded in 1325–75, cumbersome is from the Middle English word cummyrsum. See cumber, -some ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbersome¹

C14: cumber , short for encumber + -some ¹

Example Sentences

The technology, presented December 2 in the Cell Press journal Cell Biomaterials, offers a promising alternative to the cumbersome process currently used for monitoring brainwaves and diagnosing neurological conditions.

From Science Daily

Since the 1980s, Project 2025 asserted, Medicaid had “evolved into a cumbersome, complicated, and unaffordable burden on nearly every state.”

From Los Angeles Times

The most appealing part about this is that with these designations you can circumvent the often lengthy and cumbersome probate process.

From Salon

But enforcing the law depends on setting up a process to enforce it, which has not yet been done and could prove cumbersome.

From Los Angeles Times

Many younger members have complained about the academy’s cumbersome voting process, which Mason said the group has tried to improve with an app it soft-launched last year and is more heavily promoting this time around.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bulky
• burdensome
• embarrassing
• heavy
• inconvenient
• ponderous
• tiresome
• unwieldy