bulbous

adjective

bul·​bous ˈbəl-bəs 

1

: having a bulb : growing from or bearing bulbs

2

: resembling a bulb especially in roundness

a bulbous nose

bulbously adverb

Examples of bulbous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bulbous upholstered seats in the Anima collection look like Seussian creatures; her Betsy tables are inspired by birds, with layered leather that conjures feathers. — Helena Madden, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

Conventional oil tankers typically feature a bulbous bow extending below the waterline. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

In the seafood section, a peek in the cooler reveals frozen abalone, shrimp, small octopus with bulbous heads, and bags upon bags of frozen dumplings. — Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Jostens’ design for the 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces featured a smaller, removable ring for everyday wear that could be magnetically detached from the bulbous commemorative ring. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bulbous

adjective

bulb·​ous

ˈbəl-bəs

1

: having a bulb : growing from or bearing bulbs

2

: resembling a bulb in being rounded or swollen

a bulbous nose

Medical Definition

bulbous

adjective

bul·​bous ˈbəl-bəs 

: resembling a bulb especially in roundness or the gross enlargement of a part

the bulbous expansion at the base of a hair