hulking

Everyday

1. Very big, heavy and bulky, often in a clumsy or slightly frightening way. tree →
2. Used of things too: a hulking building, a hulking old ship. tree →

In the lessons

In stories «hulking» describes a giant, a monster, a big bully, a huge machine or a dark building — it tells the reader the thing is large and heavy and maybe a bit threatening or awkward. It is a describing word for size and weight, not for kindness. Phrases: a hulking figure, a hulking great (UK informal), hulking shape.

Examples

• A hulking figure stood in the doorway of the cave. tree →
• The hulking tractor rumbled down the lane. tree →
• Despite his hulking size, the giant was gentle with the children. tree →
• A hulking old warehouse stood by the river. tree →
• The dog was a hulking Saint Bernard with a soft heart. tree →
• A hulking great lorry blocked the road (UK). tree →
• The hulking robot in the film could hardly fit through the door. tree →
• But the big hulking Camel made himself very ridiculous as he kicked out his knotty legs and twisted his long clumsy neck. tree →

Note

It is an adjective, used before a noun: «a hulking man», rarely «he was hulking». Related noun: a «hulk» is a big clumsy person or thing, or the shell of an old ship. «The Hulk» is a comic-book superhero (a name). Saying a real person is «hulking» can sound rude; better to say «tall» or «strong».