bundle
B2Neutral to informal (verb sense of moving roughly is informal).
Definition
Meaning
A collection of things tied or wrapped together; a package.
A set of items, services, or characteristics offered or grouped together; a significant amount of something; to move or push someone quickly and roughly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it implies items are bound or grouped for a purpose (transport, sale). As a verb, it can be neutral (to package) or informal/forceful (to push). The 'software bundle' sense is technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Bundle up' (dress warmly) is slightly more common in AmE. The informal verb sense 'to bundle someone out' is more typical of BrE.
Connotations
Similar in both. Can imply haste or efficiency when used as a verb ('bundle into a car').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bundle something togetherbundle something into somethingbundle someone out/off/intobundle upVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bundle of nerves”
- “bundle of joy”
- “bundle someone out/off”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A product bundle (e.g., phone with a case and charger). Cost-saving through bundling services.
Academic
A bundle of characteristics, a bundle of rights (in law/economics).
Everyday
A bundle of laundry, a bundle of sticks, bundle up warm.
Technical
Software bundle, fibre bundle (mathematics), nerve bundle (anatomy).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She bundled the papers into her bag.
- The bouncers bundled him out of the pub.
American English
- They bundled the old newspapers for recycling.
- The kids were bundled into the minivan.
adverb
British English
- This is not a standard usage for 'bundle'.
American English
- This is not a standard usage for 'bundle'.
adjective
British English
- It was a bundle deal with the internet and TV.
- Bundle pricing can save money.
American English
- The software comes in a bundle package.
- We got a bundle rate for the flight and hotel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I carried a bundle of wood.
- The baby is a little bundle of joy!
- She tied the letters into a neat bundle.
- The internet provider offers a bundle with phone and TV.
- He bundled his clothes into the suitcase and left in a hurry.
- The new legislation is a complex bundle of reforms.
- Economists refer to property rights as a 'bundle of rights'.
- The protesters were unceremoniously bundled into police vans.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUN of bread tied with a DLE (imaginary cord) – a BUN-DLE is things tied together.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLLECTIONS ARE BUNDLES (a bundle of ideas, a bundle of services).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'bundle of nerves' literally; it means 'очень нервный человек'.
- Do not confuse with 'пачка' (pack) for soft items; 'bundle' implies tying/wrapping.
- 'Bundle up' means to dress warmly, not just to put on a jacket.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bundle' for a loose group (use 'collection' or 'group').
- Incorrect preposition: 'bundle in the car' instead of 'bundle into the car'.
- Confusing 'bundle' with 'bunch' (bunch is for things growing or held together, like bananas).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bundle' used informally to mean 'to push or move someone quickly and roughly'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is often used metaphorically for non-physical things like services, ideas, or emotions (e.g., a bundle of services, a bundle of nerves).
A 'bunch' typically refers to things growing together or held at one point (grapes, keys). A 'bundle' implies things are tied or wrapped together for a purpose (sticks, laundry).
Yes, commonly. It means to tie or wrap things together, or to move/push someone or something quickly and roughly.
It means to dress in warm clothes, usually because it is cold outside.