Bulk: meaning, definitions and examples

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bulk

 

[ bʌlk ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

purchase

Goods shipped or delivered in large quantities and typically stored in a warehouse or store.

Synonyms

bundle, mass, quantity

Examples of usage

  • The supermarket ordered a bulk of rice for the upcoming sale.
  • We need to buy in bulk to save money.
Context #2 | Noun

body

The mass or magnitude of something large or substantial.

Synonyms

dimension, size, volume

Examples of usage

  • He had bulked up his muscles by working out at the gym.
  • The bulk of the iceberg was hidden beneath the water.
Context #3 | Verb

increase

To make something larger or fuller by adding mass or volume.

Synonyms

amplify, enlarge, expand

Examples of usage

  • She bulked out her resume to make it more impressive.
  • The company bulked up its workforce in preparation for the busy season.

Translations

Translations of the word "bulk" in other languages:

🇵🇹 volume

🇮🇳 थोक

🇩🇪 Masse

🇮🇩 jumlah besar

🇺🇦 об'єм

🇵🇱 objętość

🇯🇵 大量

🇫🇷 volume

🇪🇸 volumen

🇹🇷 hacim

🇰🇷 부피

🇸🇦 حجم

🇨🇿 objem

🇸🇰 objem

🇨🇳 体积

🇸🇮 prostornina

🇮🇸 rúmmál

🇰🇿 көлем

🇬🇪 მოცულობა

🇦🇿 həcm

🇲🇽 volumen

Etymology

The word 'bulk' originated from the Old Norse word 'bulki', which meant 'cargo' or 'ship's cargo'. It was later adopted into Middle English as 'bulke' and referred to a ship's hold or cargo. Over time, the term evolved to also describe large quantities or mass. Today, 'bulk' is commonly used to refer to large quantities of goods or the mass of something substantial.

See also: bulkier, bulky.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,814, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.