hulk

[ huhlk ]

noun

1. the body of an old or dismantled ship.
2. a ship specially built to serve as a storehouse, prison, etc., and not for sea service.
3. a clumsy-looking or unwieldy ship or boat.
4. a bulky or unwieldy person, object, or mass.
5. the shell of a wrecked, burned-out, or abandoned vehicle, building, or the like.

verb (used without object)

1. to loom in bulky form; appear as a large, massive bulk (often followed by up ):

   The bus hulked up suddenly over the crest of the hill.

2. British Dialect. to lounge, slouch, or move in a heavy, loutish manner.

hulk

/ hʌlk /

noun

1. the body of an abandoned vessel
2. derogatory.
   a large or unwieldy vessel
3. derogatory.
   a large ungainly person or thing
4. often plural the frame or hull of a ship, used as a storehouse, etc, or (esp in 19th-century Britain) as a prison

verb

1. informal.
   intr to move clumsily
2. introften foll byup to rise massively

Word History and Origins

Origin of hulk¹

before 1000; Middle English hulke, Old English hulc; perhaps < Medieval Latin hulcus < Greek holkás trading vessel, originally, towed ship

Word History and Origins

Origin of hulk¹

Old English hulc, from Medieval Latin hulca, from Greek holkas barge, from helkein to tow

Example Sentences

The hulking hero of Donkey Kong Country suggested a different approach.

From New York Times

Recently, I found myself exploring the trail in a new way: in a hulking SUV.

From Los Angeles Times

Its hulking form and heavy materials — oceans of granite, limestone and concrete — created an intimidating place that stood for strength, power and winning.

From Los Angeles Times

Cedars-Sinai’s Gulati notes the many different forms of strength training beyond the stereotypical image of iron dumbbells or a hulking barbell.

From Los Angeles Times

City officials have struggled for years with a shortage of vehicles that can tow the hulking campers that now line communities from Van Nuys to South Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blob
• hull
• hunk
• skeleton
• wreck