bulge

1 of 2

verb

ˈbəlj How to pronounce bulge (audio)
 also  ˈbu̇lj
bulged; bulging; bulges

intransitive verb

1
a
: to jut out : swell
b
: to become swollen or protuberant
… a pair of arresting pale blue eyes that tend to bulge maniacally …Jeremy Egner
c
: to bend outward
prevent the brick wall from bulging
2
: to be filled to overflowing
a notebook that bulged with ideas
3
archaic : bilge

transitive verb

: to cause to bulge

bulge

2 of 2

noun

plural bulges
1
: a protuberant or swollen part or place
a bulge in the wall
trying to get rid of the bulge around his middle
2
: sudden expansion
a population bulge
3
: advantage, upper hand
letting them get the bulge on you
4
a
: bilge sense 1
the bulge of a barrel
b
nautical : bilge sense 2
bulgy
ˈbəl-jē How to pronounce bulge (audio)
 also  ˈbu̇l-
adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for bulge

projection, protrusion, protuberance, bulge mean an extension beyond the normal line or surface.

projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

Examples of bulge in a Sentence

Verb His face turned white and his eyes bulged. middle-aged people bulging at the waist Their bags bulged with books and papers. The squirrel's cheeks were bulging with nuts. a notebook bulging with ideas Noun “What's in there?” he asked, pointing to the large bulge in my purse. I'm exercising to get rid of this bulge around my middle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Keratoconus: Anyone diagnosed with keratoconus, in which the normally round cornea bulges forward in the shape of a cone, will not be able to undergo LASIK, as this will further weaken the already unstable tissue. Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024 Its second-skin-like feel forms nicely to the body without bulging underneath clothes, binding, pinching, or poking. Kate Watson, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
Due to internal pressure, the small intestines poke out around this area, creating a bulge. Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Oct. 2024 The seamless construction eliminates unsightly bulges and visible bra lines, while the underarm smoothing panels ensure a comfortable fit. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bulge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English bolgen

Noun

Middle English boulge, bouge leather bag, curved part, from Anglo-French bouge bag — more at budget

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 4b

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulge was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulge

Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulge. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

bulge

1 of 2 verb
bulged; bulging
1
: to swell, curve outward, or stick out
bulging eyes
2
: to be filled to overflowing
a bulging notebook

bulge

2 of 2 noun
: a part that swells or sticks out
Etymology

Noun

from early French boulge, bouge "leather bag," from Latin bulga "leather bag" — related to budget

More from Merriam-Webster on bulge

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