What does cumbrous mean?
The word cumbrous refers to something that is unwieldy or cumbersome in size, weight, or movement, making it difficult to handle or manage. This adjective is often used to describe machinery, designs, or objects that are bulky or.setMaximum heavy. In formal language, cumbrous is used to convey a sense of difficulty or inconvenience. It is a useful word for describing situations where something is hard to move or navigate. The word has a negative connotation, implying that something is not easy to use or handle. In terms of common collocations, cumbrous is often used with words like machinery or design. There are no regional differences in the usage of this word, and it is distinct from similar words like clumsy, which implies a lack of skill.
adjectiveUnwieldy or cumbersome in size, weight, or movement; difficult to handle or manage.
- Unwieldy or cumbersome in size, weight, or movement; difficult to handle or manage.
"The cumbrous machinery made it hard to move the heavy load."
"The cumbrous machinery made it hard to move the heavy load."
"The cumbrous design of the building made it difficult to navigate."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cumbrous
The word cumbrous comes from the Old French word 'cumbersome', which is derived from the Latin words 'cum' meaning 'together' and 'bur' meaning 'load'. The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe something that is difficult to handle or manage.
Usage notes
Formal or informal usage: formal. Connotation: negative. Common collocations: with machinery, with design. Regional differences: none. Distinctions from similar words: clumsy implies a lack of skill, while cumbrous implies a lack of ease of use.