Word of the Day: Cumbersome
What's the story
"Cumbersome" is an adjective used to describe something that is large, heavy, awkward, or difficult to handle. It can also describe a process, system, or task that feels unnecessarily complicated and takes more effort than it should.
Origin
Origin of the word
"Cumbersome" comes from the word "cumber," which means to burden, trouble, or hinder.
It entered English in the 16th century and was originally used for things that were difficult to carry or manage.
Its meaning later expanded to include complicated processes and situations.
Synonyms
Synonyms for 'cumbersome'
Some alternatives for "cumbersome" include awkward, bulky, unwieldy, difficult, clumsy, complicated, burdensome, inconvenient, and unmanageable.
These words describe something that is hard to carry, use, organize, or deal with because of its size, weight, complexity, or design.
Sentence
Sentence usage
See "cumbersome" in these examples:
"The old filing system was cumbersome and difficult to manage."
"Carrying the cumbersome equipment up the stairs took several people."
"The lengthy approval process made the project unnecessarily cumbersome."
Writing
Why use the word
"Cumbersome" is a useful word when something feels harder to handle than it needs to be.
It can describe physical objects as well as complicated tasks, systems, or procedures, making it a handy choice when you want to point out unnecessary difficulty.