bulge

1 of 2

verb

ˈbəlj 

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 

also ˈbu̇l-

adjective

Synonyms of bulge

Verb

• protrude
• poke

Noun

• protrusion
• projection
• swell
• protuberance
• dome
• section
• overhang
• convexity
• portion

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

But if the gland expands or droops, which is common with age, a portion of it can escape those confines, bulging out below the jawbone and appearing as a lump in the neck. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 14 May 2026

Even casinos with bulging coffers have an upper limit. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 12 May 2026

Noun

All that matters at this reservation-only pizzeria is the crust, a technical marvel of puff, bulge and scorch. —Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Those who have had pain in their pubic region while coughing, lifting objects or bending or who have noticed a bulge in their abdomen are encouraged to this screening and education event. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

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

Rhymes for bulge

• divulge
• indulge

Kids Definition

bulge

1 of 2 verb

ˈbəlj 

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