What does bulkiest mean?
“Bulkiest” is the superlative form of the adjective “bulky,” used to describe whichever item in a group takes up the most space or has the greatest mass. It typically applies to physical objects — luggage, furniture, parcels, clothing, equipment — where sheer volume matters, often with an implication of inconvenience: the bulkiest suitcase is the one hardest to stow, and the bulkiest sweater is the one least practical to pack. The word is standard in both British and American English and suits everyday as well as commercial contexts, appearing frequently in shipping, retail, and product reviews. Its comparative is “bulkier” and its base form “bulky”; the related noun is “bulk.” Connotations lean slightly negative, since bulk usually implies unwieldiness rather than desirability. The underlying noun “bulk” entered English from Old Norse “bulki,” meaning a heap or cargo, giving the whole word family a nautical and mercantile pedigree.
adjectiveSuperlative form of “bulky”: largest or heaviest in mass or volume; taking up the most space.
- Largest or heaviest in size or volume; occupying the most space.
"The bulkiest item in her luggage was a down sleeping bag she refused to leave behind."
"Of all the furniture, the bulkiest piece was the solid oak wardrobe."
"He handed the clerk his bulkiest package first, hoping to get it weighed quickly."
Every superlative has a story — and “bulkiest” traces back to Old Norse “bulki,” the word Viking traders used for heaps of cargo.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bulkiest
“Bulkiest” derives from “bulky,” which is formed from the noun “bulk.” “Bulk” entered Middle English, likely from Old Norse “bulki,” meaning a heap or load of cargo, which also gave rise to shipping terms such as “bulkhead.” The superlative suffix “-est” is a native Germanic ending, making the word a blend of Norse borrowing and native English morphology.
Related word forms
How bulkiest is actually used
“Bulkiest” is the superlative of “bulky” and carries a mildly negative connotation when describing objects that are awkward to carry, store, or ship. It is neutral register, common in everyday speech and consumer writing about luggage, clothing, packaging, and equipment. Note the spelling: the final “-y” of “bulky” becomes “-i-” before the superlative ending.
Easily confused with bulkiest
“Balky” means stubbornly refusing to proceed, while “bulkiest” describes physical size or volume.