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 top overlay of her black, Christian Dior gown blew upward, and billowed, appearing inflated and bulbous for about a second, footage of the moment shared by Cinema Blend shows. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Justin, meanwhile, delights in the most gargantuan hoodies and bottoms, bulbous footwear, and sporty accessories, while always wearing something from his own brand too. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2025

Their faces and extremities are bare; the rest of their bulbous bodies are covered in a layer of fur. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025

The bulbous body traps aroma and allows a creamy, rich head to develop. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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