Hulk vs. Bulk: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
Hulk refers to a large, clumsy person or thing, or a popular comic book character, while bulk denotes the majority or large size of something.
Key Differences
Hulk and bulk, while similar sounding, possess distinct meanings. The word "hulk" can describe a large, clumsy person or thing, often implying awkwardness or lack of functionality. Think of an abandoned ship or a derelict building. Additionally, many instantly associate "Hulk" with the Marvel superhero: a massive, green-skinned behemoth who embodies strength and rage.
Conversely, "bulk" often refers to size or magnitude. When something is in bulk, it's in large quantity, often without individual packaging. This term can also denote the majority of something. For instance, the bulk of an iceberg remains submerged underwater. In physical contexts, "bulk" implies massiveness, size, or volume without necessarily denoting clumsiness or non-functionality.
Another intriguing distinction lies in their grammatical flexibility. While "bulk" can function as both a noun and a verb (e.g., "bulk up"), "hulk" is primarily a noun. It's also noteworthy that "hulk" can possess a somewhat negative connotation when describing something as clumsy or non-functional, whereas "bulk" is generally neutral.
Lastly, both terms, in certain contexts, can relate to size and magnitude. Yet, their usages and connotations set them apart: "hulk" with potential awkwardness or the iconic green hero, and "bulk" with sheer quantity or the majority of something.
Comparison Chart
Grammar Type
Primarily a noun
Noun & Verb
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Primary Meaning
A large, clumsy person or thing
The large size or majority of something
Secondary Meaning
A green-skinned comic character
To increase in size or obtain in large quantities
Contextual Example
"Hulk" from Marvel comics
Buying goods in bulk
Related Words
Giant, behemoth
Majority, mass, volume
Hulk and Bulk Definitions
Hulk
Hulk: The body or shell of something, especially when empty or useless.
The hulk of the burned-out building stood for years.
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Bulk
Size, mass, or volume, especially when very large.
Hulk
Hulk: The Marvel comic book character known for his strength and green skin.
When angered, Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk.
Bulk
A distinct mass or portion of matter, especially a large one
The dark bulk of buildings against the sky.
Hulk
A heavy, unwieldy ship.
Bulk
The body of a human, especially when large or muscular.
Hulk
The hull of an old, unseaworthy, or wrecked ship.
Bulk
The major portion or greater part
"The great bulk of necessary work can never be anything but painful" (Bertrand Russell).
Hulk
Often hulks An old or unseaworthy ship used as a prison or warehouse.
Bulk
See fiber.
Hulk
One, such as a person or object, that is bulky, clumsy, or unwieldy.
Bulk
Thickness of paper or cardboard in relation to weight.
Hulk
A wrecked or abandoned shell of a usually large object, such as a building or vehicle.
Bulk
A ship's cargo.
Hulk
To appear as a massive or towering form; loom
The big truck hulked out of the fog.
Bulk
To be or appear to be massive in terms of size, volume, or importance; loom
Safety considerations bulked large during development of the new spacecraft.
Hulk
To move clumsily.
Bulk
To grow or increase in size or importance.
Hulk
(nautical)
Bulk
To cohere or form a mass
Certain paper bulks well.
Hulk
(archaic) A large ship used for transportation; (more generally) a large ship that is difficult to manoeuvre.
Bulk
To cause to swell or expand.
Hulk
(by extension) A non-functional but floating ship, usually stripped of equipment and rigging, and often put to other uses such as accommodation or storage.
Bulk
To cause to cohere or form a mass.
Hulk
(figuratively) A large structure with a dominating presence.
Bulk
Being large in mass, quantity, or volume
A bulk buy.
A bulk mailing.
Hulk
(figuratively) A big (and possibly clumsy) person.
Bulk
Size, specifically, volume.
Hulk
(bodybuilding) An excessively muscled person.
Bulk
Any huge body or structure.
Hulk
To reduce (a ship) to a non-functional hulk.
Bulk
The major part of something.
The bulk of my income comes from my office job, but I also teach a couple of evening classes.
I understood the bulk of what you were saying, just one of two points I need to hear again.
Hulk
To temporarily house (goods, people, etc.) in such a hulk.
Bulk
Dietary fibre.
Hulk
(transitive) To move (a large, hulking body).
Bulk
Unpackaged goods when transported in large volumes, e.g. coal, ore or grain.
Hulk
(intransitive) To be a hulk, that is, a large, hulking, and often imposing presence.
Bulk
(countable) a cargo or any items moved or communicated in the manner of cargo.
Hulk
(intransitive) Of a (large) person: to act or move slowly and clumsily.
Bulk
(bodybuilding) Excess body mass, especially muscle.
Hulk
To remove the entrails of; to disembowel.
Bulk
(bodybuilding) A period where one tries to gain muscle.
Hulk
The body of a ship or decked vessel of any kind; esp., the body of an old vessel laid by as unfit for service.
Bulk
(brane cosmology) A hypothetical higher-dimensional space within which our own four-dimensional universe may exist.
Hulk
A heavy ship of clumsy build.
Bulk
(obsolete) The body.
Hulk
Anything bulky or unwieldly.
Bulk
Being large in size, mass or volume (of goods, etc.)
Hulk
To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; as, to hulk a hare.
Bulk
Total
Hulk
A very large person; impressive in size or qualities
Bulk
(intransitive) To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent.
Hulk
A ship that has been wrecked and abandoned
Bulk
(intransitive) To grow in size; to swell or expand.
Hulk
Appear very large or occupy a commanding position;
The huge sculpture predominates over the fountain
Large shadows loomed on the canyon wall
Bulk
(intransitive) To gain body mass by means of diet, exercise, etc.
Hulk
Hulk: A large, heavy, or clumsy person or thing.
The old ship was just a rusting hulk by the docks.
Bulk
(transitive) To put or hold in bulk.
Hulk
Hulk: A ship that has been taken out of active use.
The harbor had several old hulks that were no longer seaworthy.
Bulk
To add bulk to, to bulk out.
Hulk
Hulk: Something that is large and unwieldy in its size or appearance.
The huge statue was a hulk in the center of the park.
Bulk
Magnitude of material substance; dimensions; mass; size; as, an ox or ship of great bulk.
Against these forces there were prepared near one hundred ships; not so great of bulk indeed, but of a more nimble motion, and more serviceable.
Bulk
The main mass or body; the largest or principal portion; the majority; as, the bulk of a debt.
The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them, "to obtain what by labor can be obtained."
Bulk
The cargo of a vessel when stowed.
Bulk
The body.
My liver leaped within my bulk.
Bulk
A projecting part of a building.
Here, stand behind this bulk.
Bulk
To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent; to swell.
The fame of Warburton possibly bulked larger for the moment.
Bulk
The property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part;
The majority of his customers prefer it
The bulk of the work is finished
Bulk
The property of something that is great in magnitude;
It is cheaper to buy it in bulk
He received a mass of correspondence
The volume of exports
Bulk
The property possessed by a large mass
Bulk
Stick out or up;
The parcel bulked in the sack
Bulk
Cause to bulge or swell outwards
Bulk
The mass or magnitude of something large.
The bulk of the shipment arrived today.
Bulk
The majority of something.
The bulk of the work is already done.
Bulk
Large quantities, especially when sold or purchased without packaging.
She bought pasta in bulk to save money.
Bulk
To increase in size or volume.
He's trying to bulk up for the competition.
Bulk
The main or major part.
The bulk of the iceberg is underwater.
FAQs
Can "hulk" describe something positive?
While often associated with clumsiness, "Hulk" can be positive when referencing the Marvel hero or immense strength.
Is "bulk" always about size?
While often related to size, "bulk" can also refer to the majority or main part of something.
Does "hulk" always indicate something negative?
Not always. It can denote mere size or reference the Marvel superhero, which can be neutral or positive.
Can "bulk" be used as a verb?
Yes, "bulk" can mean to increase in size, as in "bulking up."
Is the comic character the primary definition of "hulk"?
No, while popular, the comic character is just one definition. "Hulk" primarily means a large or clumsy thing.
What does it mean to buy in bulk?
Buying in bulk means purchasing large quantities, often at a discount and without individual packaging.
What does "bulk mail" mean?
"Bulk mail" refers to large quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage.
Does "hulk" only describe physical things?
Primarily, but it can metaphorically describe something large in other contexts.
Is a "hulk" always inactive or non-functional?
Often, but not always. The term can just signify something large and imposing.
Can "bulk" refer to the majority of non-physical things?
Yes, like "the bulk of the evidence" or "the bulk of the argument."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
