cumbersome

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cumbersome' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unwieldy or laborious to handle, usually due to its size or weight. Example sentence: Moving the heavy sofa was a cumbersome task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is easier and cheaper for partnerships to develop, compared with the costly and cumbersome takeover processes used by the private sector.

The Guardian

The buildings often come complete with mock-marble effects, in an attempt to overcome the fact that the stone was too cumbersome to lug over the Andes in the 18th century.

The Guardian - Travel

Then came their Swedish breakthrough, though the band still laboured under the cumbersome name of Björn and Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid.

The Guardian - Music

They attributed the larger wide plates to males, in keeping with the "handicap hypothesis", which sees males invest in cumbersome body parts to prove their evolutionary fitness.

The Guardian

Personal enthusiasms are the lifeblood of cumbersome institutions and it beggars belief that Curtis can be criticised for (at long last) giving sculpture its proper place in the pantheon.

The Guardian - Arts

For example, the distribution of cumbersome, information-heavy prospectuses at Ucas events probably won't cut it with the creative young people you're trying to win over.

The Guardian

According to Kovalchuk, Russian trawlers such as the Dalny Vostok, which clean and freeze fish on board, often illegally take on foreign labourers at sea to get around cumbersome labour migration regulations.

The Guardian

In 2004, he was invited to return to Russia as director of the Bolshoi, at the time one of the most cumbersome and treacherous troupes in the world; between 1995 and 2004, no fewer than three directors had been chewed up and spat out by the company's factional politics.

The Guardian

Transport Road links are good, but rail links can be slightly cumbersome.

The Guardian

My first answer would be to echo James Madison and say that the cumbersome legislative process established by the constitution is itself a powerful "limiting principle".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a pity the cumbersome flashbacks weigh it down.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are using "cumbersome" in relation to a physical object, make sure that is relevant to the overall sentence and description.

Common error

While "cumbersome" is a perfectly valid word, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "awkward" or "clumsy" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cumbersome" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as being difficult to handle or manage effectively due to its size, weight, complexity, or inefficiency. Ludwig AI confirms the adjectival nature of the term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumbersome" functions as an adjective used to describe something difficult to handle or manage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status. Its frequency is rated as very common, according to the multiple examples. While the term is appropriate for different contexts, including news, business and scientific writing, alternatives like "awkward" or "unwieldy" might be preferred in informal conversations. When you are using "cumbersome" to improve the sentence flow, be sure that is relevant to the object or the concept it modifies. Use it carefully to add an extra informative layer to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to manage

Directly states the challenge of handling something, reflecting the core meaning of "cumbersome".

unwieldy

Like "cumbersome", it describes something difficult to handle because of its size, shape, or weight.

burdensome

Focuses on the oppressive or troublesome aspect of something, similar to the hindering effect of "cumbersome".

awkward

Similar to "cumbersome" in suggesting difficulty in handling or managing something, but more focused on physical or social clumsiness.

clumsy

Similar to awkward but may also refer to poorly designed procedures or system.

laborious

Highlights the effort and time required, echoing the difficulty implied by "cumbersome".

inefficient

Emphasizes the lack of productivity or wastefulness, a consequence of something being "cumbersome".

complex

Suggests intricacy that makes something hard to understand or deal with, aligning with the complexity implied in "cumbersome".

ponderous

Suggests heaviness or unwieldiness, akin to the physical aspect of "cumbersome".

arduous

Emphasizes the effort required, highlighting the demanding nature associated with "cumbersome" tasks.

FAQs

How to use "cumbersome" in a sentence?

You can use "cumbersome" to describe something that is difficult to handle or manage due to its size, complexity, or inefficiency. For example, "The application process was extremely cumbersome".

What can I say instead of "cumbersome"?

You can use alternatives like "awkward", "unwieldy", or "burdensome" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cumbersome process" or "cumbersome procedure"?

Both "cumbersome process" and "cumbersome procedure" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a general series of actions (process) or a specific, established method (procedure).

What's the difference between "cumbersome" and "complicated"?

"Cumbersome" implies difficulty in handling or managing something, often due to its size or complexity, whereas "complicated" simply means complex and difficult to understand. A process can be both "cumbersome" and "complicated", but something can be complicated without being cumbersome.