WordGarden.iocumbersome
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈʌmbəsˌʌm/
US
- /ˈkəmbərsəm/
Meanings
Adjective
slow or difficult to deal with because of complexity or inefficiency
large, heavy, or awkward to carry, move, or use
Beyond the definition
If something is cumbersome, it's awkward to deal with – like trying to carry ten grocery bags at once! It suggests something is bulky and complicated, often making a task more difficult than it needs to be. An old computer that takes forever to start up and makes you do too many steps can feel cumbersome compared to a sleek new laptop. You might describe a legal process as cumbersome if it involves lots of paperwork and confusing rules.
Think of trying to move a heavy, oddly shaped piece of furniture – that's cumbersome. It's not just heavy; it's awkward and hard to maneuver. The word comes from the Middle English "cumber," meaning to "hinder" or "burden." So if something burdens you with difficulty, it's likely cumbersome!
Cumbersome describes something that is hard to carry, use, or manage because it is too big, heavy, awkward, or overly complicated. It implies a lack of efficiency and often suggests something is more complex than it needs to be. For example: "The old filing system was so cumbersome that it took hours to find a single document."
It's not just about physical objects being heavy or bulky (though those can be cumbersome too!). Cumbersome can also describe processes, rules, or systems. A "cumbersome bureaucracy" is one filled with excessive paperwork and red tape. A "cumbersome explanation" is long-winded and hard to follow.
The word often carries a negative connotation – it suggests something should be easier than it is. Filling out a long set of forms in person can feel more cumbersome than doing the same thing online in a few clicks. A writer might describe their first draft as "cumbersome," meaning it's messy and needs significant revision.
Historically, "cumbersome" referred to something that was a burden or hindrance—something weighing you down. While the literal weight isn't always present today, the feeling of being weighed down by difficulty remains central to its meaning. So if something feels awkward, inefficient, and makes your task harder than it needs to be, chances are it's cumbersome.
Examples
- 1
Heavy luggage
The old suitcase was so cumbersome that I had to stop and rest twice on the way to the station.
- 2
Old system
We replaced the paper form with an online version because the old system was too cumbersome.
- 3
Application process
The application process is still cumbersome, especially if you have to upload the same documents again and again.
- 4
Camera controls
It's a good camera, but the menu is cumbersome to use when you need to change settings quickly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Team management
As the team grew, managing everything in a spreadsheet became too cumbersome.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- cumbersome process
- cumbersome system
- cumbersome equipment
Word family
- cumbersomely
- cumbersomeness
Explore
- ergonomics
- bureaucracy
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- cumbersomeadjective