Chunky describes something made up of thick, solid pieces rather than being smooth or fine. Chunky peanut butter has visible bits of peanuts mixed in, while smooth peanut butter has been ground up completely. Chunky soup contains big pieces of vegetables and meat that you can see and bite into.

The word often suggests something satisfying and substantial. A chunky sweater is thick and warm, knit from heavy yarn. Chunky jewelry features large, bold pieces rather than delicate chains. When you cut vegetables into chunky pieces for a stew, you leave them in big, hearty chunks instead of dicing them small.

People sometimes use chunky to describe body types, though this can sound unkind depending on context and tone. It's worth knowing the word has this meaning, but using it to describe people requires care and sensitivity.

When you break a chocolate bar into chunks, you're creating thick, irregular pieces. This chunky texture often makes food more interesting: you get different sensations in every bite, sometimes smooth and sometimes something solid to chew on.