2 syllables: bul, ky. Stress on bul.
/ˈbʌlki/
Say it backBulky describes something large and heavy in relation to its surroundings, often implying unwieldy size or mass. It can refer to objects, clothing, or concepts that feel oversized or cumbersome, sometimes suggesting practicality is compromised by its bulk. In everyday use, it contrasts with lighter, more compact alternatives. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words)
"The bulky computer case blocked the desk cable management."
"She wore a bulky sweater that made it hard to move."
"The bulky crate barely fit through the doorway."
Bulky is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈbəl ki/ in US and UK. The stress is on the first syllable: BUL-ky. The first vowel is a schwa in many rapid speeches: /ˈbəːl‑ki/ or /ˈbəl‑k.i/ depending on acceleration; the second syllable uses a clear /i/ as in 'see'. Visualize lips relaxed, tongue neutral for /ə/, then a clean /l/ followed by /ki/ with a tense high front vowel. Audio resources: Cambridge/audio dictionary pronunciations can confirm the two-part rhythm.
Common mistakes include merging the syllables too quickly so it sounds like single syllable, or altering the stressed vowel to a full /ʊ/ or /ʌ/ in the first syllable. Another error is not clearly articulating the /l/ after the schwa, causing a muddled onset. Correct by maintaining a distinct schwa /ə/ in the first syllable, ensuring a crisp /l/, then a clear /ki/ with a silent-ish glide into the final /i/. Practice with slow tempo and marked IPA cues.
In US and UK pronunciation, the first syllable often reduces to /lə/ or /lə/ with a schwa, yielding /ˈbəːl/ or /ˈbʌl/ depending on vowel quality; US tends toward /ˈbəl ki/ with a lighter initial vowel, while UK may lean toward /ˈbʌl ki/ in some accents. Australian pronunciation commonly mirrors UK tilts, still keeping stress on the first syllable but with broader vowel realization in the /ʌ/ region. Across all, the second syllable /ki/ remains a clear /ki/ with a short /i/. Rhoticity rarely changes the /r/ since none is present.
The difficulty sits in maintaining a clean vowel transition from a lax schwa to a high front vowel in /ki/, along with a precise /l/ immediately after the schwa. A fast speech tempo can blur the boundary between syllables, causing a monoclausal feel. Also, the /l/ must be clearly staccato, not absorbed into the following /k/ release. Focus on a steady, two-beat rhythm: /ˈə/ (or /ˈbɜː/ in some accents) + /l/ + /ki/ with distinct consonant timing.
Bulky uniquely combines a voiced alveolar lateral approximant /l/ after a reduced vowel, followed by a high front vowel /i/. The transition from /l/ to /ki/ should be crisper than in many two-syllable words; avoid coalescing the /l/ into the next consonant. The unique feature to watch is keeping the second syllable promptly articulated with no vowel lengthening on the first syllable, maintaining the two-syllable cadence.
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Bulky comes from the noun bulk, meaning mass or size, which in turn derives from the Old Norse bulkr meaning mound or heap, and the Old English byrlce meaning a swelling mass. The sense evolved through Middle English into the late 16th century, where bulky described items with substantial size or volume. The word retained a tangible, physical sense of mass but broadened to metaphorical uses—bulky bureaucracy, bulky charges—reflecting objects or systems that are disproportionately large relative to their purpose, efficiency, or convenience. The core idea remained size and weight, but the contexts expanded with industrialization and fashion (think bulky hardware, bulky garments). First known use in English literature traces to the 1500s in contexts describing sizable objects, and by the 1700s it had taken on more abstract connotations, paralleling modern adjectives like bulky and unwieldy to describe processes, equipment, and forms of design that emphasize mass over practicality.
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Help others use "bulky" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "bulky" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "bulky" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "bulky"
-nky sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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