a hunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large, usually indeterminate amount or portion of something. For example, "I got a hunk of cheese from the deli for dinner tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It looked like a hunk of glass," Mr. Kasliwal said.

The New York Times

Or perhaps, in this case, a hunk of burning tofu.

The New York Times

A hunk of fillet will do just fine.

The New York Times - Food

Maybe a hunk of gold was buried behind it.

The New Yorker

You wouldn't find people eating a hunk of Cotija cheese".

The New York Times - Food

Inside was a hunk of concrete wrapped in paper.

The New York Times

He does it again with a hunk of cheese.

The New York Times - Magazine

My bike was not just a hunk of metal.

The New York Times

The subtle sweetness of a hunk of chorizo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Anyway, it's a life achievement award, a hunk of plastic.

The Guardian - Film

One photograph showed the crumpled, bloody body of a miner next to a hunk of rock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hunk of" to describe a substantial, irregularly shaped piece of something. It works well for describing food items like cheese or meat, but can also apply to materials like wood or metal.

Common error

Avoid using "a hunk of" to describe abstract concepts or intangible things. Stick to physical objects or substances that can be literally broken or cut into pieces.

Linguistic Context

Modifier phrase describing a substantial, irregularly shaped piece or portion of a tangible item. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to denote a physically separable part, as demonstrated in examples such as "a hunk of cheese" or "a hunk of metal."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Food

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hunk of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a substantial, irregularly shaped piece of something tangible. As demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, from describing food items to pieces of metal or rock. While grammatically correct and very common, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it less suitable for highly formal or scientific writing. When using "a hunk of", it's best to stick to describing physical objects, avoiding abstract concepts. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a portion of" or "a piece of". The phrase is especially prevalent in News & Media and Food-related content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slab of

Indicates a thick, flat piece, emphasizing the shape more than the quantity implied by "a hunk of".

a lump of

Suggests a solid, irregularly shaped piece, similar in size but emphasizing shape over quantity compared to "a hunk of".

a clump of

Implies a tightly packed mass of something, often smaller and more consolidated than "a hunk of".

a mound of

Implies a heap or pile, suggesting a less defined shape compared to the more solid implication of "a hunk of".

a morsel of

Refers to a very small piece or amount, implying less quantity than "a hunk of".

a slice of

Refers to a thin, flat piece cut from something, differing in shape and implication of size from "a hunk of".

a bite of

Refers to a small portion taken by biting, indicating a significantly smaller amount compared to "a hunk of".

a patch of

Refers to a small area or piece, usually applied to surfaces or land, making it less interchangeable with "a hunk of" in most contexts.

a bunch of

Suggests a cluster of items, rather than a single, solid piece implied by "a hunk of".

a bit of

Indicates a small quantity or degree, much less substantial than "a hunk of".

FAQs

How can I use "a hunk of" in a sentence?

"A hunk of" is used to describe a large, irregularly shaped piece of something. For example, "He ate "a hunk of cheese" for lunch".

What can I say instead of "a hunk of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a lump of", "a slab of", or "a chunk of".

Is it appropriate to use "a hunk of" in formal writing?

While "a hunk of" is generally understood, it's often considered informal. In formal writing, consider more precise terms depending on what you're describing, such as "a portion of" or "a piece of".

What's the difference between "a hunk of" and "a piece of"?

"A piece of" is a general term for any fragment or part, while "a hunk of" suggests a larger, roughly cut, or irregularly shaped portion. For example, you might have "a piece of paper", but you'd be more likely to have "a hunk of meat".