How Do You Spell CUMBERSOME?

Pronunciation: [kˈʌmbəsˌʌm] (IPA)

The word "cumbersome" is often misspelled due to its tricky pronunciation. It is pronounced "kuhm-ber-suh m" with the stress on the second syllable. The first part is spelled with a "c-u-m" instead of "c-o-m" which can cause confusion. The second part has a silent "b" and "e" which is why it is pronounced as "suh m" instead of "ber-zuh me". Despite its cumbersome spelling, the word means something that is large and difficult to handle, such as a heavy piece of furniture or an awkward task.

CUMBERSOME Meaning and Definition

1. Cumbersome is an adjective that describes something as being unwieldy, awkward, or difficult to handle or manage due to its size, weight, or complexity. It refers to objects, actions, or situations that are burdensome or cumbersome to deal with, often causing inconvenience or hindrance.

   When applied to physical objects, cumbersome implies that they are large, heavy, unwieldy, or difficult to move or maneuver. For instance, a cumbersome piece of furniture might be hard to fit through a narrow doorway or be challenging to rearrange in a small space. Similarly, a cumbersome machine might pose challenges in terms of assembly, disassembly, or transportation due to its size or weight.

   In a broader sense, cumbersome can also describe actions or processes that are complicated, complicated, or time-consuming. For example, a company's cumbersome administrative procedures may slow down productivity or hinder effective decision-making. Cumbersome bureaucracy often refers to an overly complex or rigid organizational structure that creates unnecessary hurdles or delays.

   Furthermore, cumbersome can be used metaphorically to describe intangible things like ideas, concepts, or systems. A cumbersome plan or proposal might involve excessive steps or requirements, making it difficult to implement or understand. Similarly, cumbersome software or user interfaces may be convoluted or difficult to navigate, impeding efficiency or user satisfaction.

2. • Troublesome.

   • Troublesome; burdensome; unwieldy; not easily borne.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CUMBERSOME *

• cumbersom 47.0588235%
• combersome 38.2352941%
• cumberson 14.7058823%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CUMBERSOME

• cummbersome
• cumbersum
• cubersome
• clumbersome
• combursome
• xumbersome
• vumbersome
• fumbersome
• dumbersome
• cymbersome
• chmbersome
• cjmbersome
• cimbersome
• c8mbersome
• c7mbersome
• cunbersome
• cumbersonme
• cumbersomme
• cumberance
• Umbersose
• Humaursome
• cumbursom
• cumersom

Etymology of CUMBERSOME

The word "cumbersome" originated from the Middle English term "cumber", which entered the English language around the late 14th century. "Cumber" meant to burden or weigh down, and it is derived from the Old English verb "cymbran", meaning to trouble or vex. Over time, "cumber" developed into the adjective "cumbersome" in the early 16th century, describing something that is burdensome or difficult to manage or handle. The exact origin of "cumber" is uncertain, but it may have roots in the Scandinavian languages or Old Norse.

Similar spelling words for CUMBERSOME

• coomaraswamy,
• cumberland,
• cumaraswamy,
• cumbersomely,
• cumbrous,
• gaimersheim,
• Commercium,
• Camorrism,
• Cumberledge,
• kumarasamy.