What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cumbrous
Example
The cumbrous package was difficult to lift. [cumbrous: adjective]
Example
The cumbrous machinery required a lot of effort to operate. [cumbrous: adjective]
Example
The cumbrous legal jargon made it hard for me to understand the contract. [cumbrous: adjective]
cumbersome
Example
The cumbersome furniture made it hard to navigate through the narrow hallway. [cumbersome: adjective]
Example
The cumbersome bureaucracy slowed down the process of getting a permit. [cumbersome: adjective]
Example
The cumbersome software program took forever to load. [cumbersome: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cumbersome is more commonly used than cumbrous in everyday language. Cumbersome is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cumbrous is less common and mostly used in formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cumbrous and cumbersome?
Cumbrous is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while cumbersome is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
