encombrant

bulky, cumbersome

adjective ahn-kohm-BRAHN Rare

Usage Note

Encombrant describes objects that take up too much space or are awkward to carry, but can also describe people who are inconveniently present or burdensome — un témoin encombrant (an inconvenient witness). The feminine form is encombrante, and the related verb encombrer means to clutter or obstruct. Encombrante is often used in crime fiction for compromising witnesses.

Examples

"Ce meuble encombrant prend toute la place dans le couloir."

Natural Translation

This bulky piece of furniture takes up all the space in the hallway.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

How to Say "I Miss You" in French (Without Errors)

"I miss you" in French is Tu me manques, not Je te manque. Learn the subject-flip behind manquer so you never text the opposite of what you mean.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Noun Gender: Rules to Guess Right 80%

Guess French noun gender right 80% of the time using word endings: -age, -ment, -eau are masculine; -tion, -té, -ette are feminine. A high-yield system.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read