Cumbersome: meaning, definitions and examples
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cumbersome
[ ˈkʌmbərsəm ]
inconvenient
Cumbersome means large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use. It can also refer to something complicated or difficult to manage.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The new sofa was so cumbersome that it was impossible to fit through the doorway.
- The cumbersome instructions made it difficult for me to assemble the furniture.
complicated
Cumbersome can also describe something that is complicated or inefficient. It implies that the process or system is difficult to use or understand.
Synonyms
complex, difficult, inefficient
Examples of usage
- The old computer system was cumbersome and slow, causing frustration among the employees.
- The cumbersome bureaucracy made it hard for the company to make quick decisions.
Word origin
The word 'cumbersome' originated from Middle English 'cumbren', which means to hinder or encumber. Over time, it evolved to 'cumbersome' in the late 16th century, with the current meaning of being large, heavy, or difficult to manage.