bloatware

Definition

Software that is packed with too many features and therefore slow or unwieldy; software that is inefficiently designed and occupies an excessive amount of memory or disk space.

Etymology

From bloat + -ware, originally in the sense “unwieldy software”. The sense “pre-installed software” has become predominant since the 2010s.

Example Sentences

• "Today’s software development cycle does not allow time to optimize and refine products, and that leads to bloatware."
• "That’s not really a surprise, considering that writing efficient software takes more time than writing wasteful code. “Bloatware” makes economic sense for software developers, if not for consumers!"
• "I’ll bet you think I’m going to write one of those boring articles you see all over the net bemoaning “bloatware.” Whine whine whine, this stuff is so bloated, oh woe is me, edlin and vi are so much better than Word and Emacs because they are svelte, etc."

Related Words