A hunk is a large, thick piece of something, often cut or broken off in a rough, irregular way. When you tear off a hunk of fresh bread instead of slicing it neatly, you're getting a big, satisfying chunk. A hungry hiker might hack off a hunk of cheese to eat with crackers, or a sculptor might start with a huge hunk of marble before chiseling it into a finished statue.

The word suggests something substantial and solid, not a tiny sliver or careful portion. You wouldn't call a single potato chip a hunk, but you might call a thick wedge of chocolate cake one.

Hunk can also describe a sturdy, strong-looking piece of something, like when someone admires a “hunk of machinery” or a “hunk of metal.” The word captures that sense of something hefty and impressive in size. Whether it's a hunk of firewood, a hunk of rock, or a hunk of cornbread, the word tells you you're dealing with a generous, solid piece of something.