What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cumbersome
Example
The old piano was too cumbersome to move up the stairs. [cumbersome: adjective]
Example
The company's cumbersome bureaucracy slowed down decision-making. [cumbersome: adjective]
heavy
Example
The box was too heavy for me to lift by myself. [heavy: adjective]
Example
She felt a heavy sense of guilt after the argument. [heavy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heavy is a more common word than cumbersome in everyday language. Heavy is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while cumbersome is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cumbersome and heavy?
Both cumbersome and heavy are relatively formal words, but cumbersome may be seen as more technical or specialized due to its association with complex systems or processes.
