Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

pulpy

American  
[puhl-pee] / ˈpʌl pi /

adjective

pulpier, pulpiest
  1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling pulp; fleshy or soft.

  2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling magazines or books considered pulp; sensationalistic; trashy.


pulpy British  
/ ˈpʌlpɪ /

adjective

  1. having a soft or soggy consistency

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of pulpy

First recorded in 1585–95; pulp + -y 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Obsession” is a pulpy, prodigious summer hit that checks boxes without posing any new questions.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

It doesn’t look particularly good, but for a pulpy, propulsive action series, it may have potential.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026

Snake is a wonderfully pulpy, instantly iconic creation, an outcast adventurer reeking of sweat and post-Vietnam cynicism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025

Described by the Guardian as a "deliciously pulpy supernatural soap opera", the TV version was part of a craze for vampire stories that also included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight and True Blood.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2025

Some fur and a nubbin of something pink and pulpy still adhered to the bottom of his water bottle, I noticed when he raised it to his lips.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

These are powerful tools for filmmakers who play around in the pulpier genres.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2023

Lin would also wholeheartedly embrace the pulpier aspects of Indiana Jones and could be counted on to deliver something fun and fast-paced.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 27, 2020

But I can’t say I mind this new, pulpier version’s willingness to play to the groundlings.

From New York Times ● Jun. 27, 2016

He likes to experiment with writing styles and readers may have to pause and think more than they do with pulpier fare.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 16, 2016

I can see what they have done to Billy already; he's getting pulpier every day, and I don't believe his brain would ever work if I didn't keep stirring it up.

From The Whole Family: a Novel by Twelve Authors by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews

This textured NYC thriller has the pulpiest of set-ups: a young Chinese girl is lost and alone on the streets, pursued by the Triads and crooked cops.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 25, 2019

But “Battlefield Earth” is also an incredibly exciting book, pulp of the pulpiest order.

From Salon ● May 24, 2012

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training