WordGarden.iobulge
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈʌldʒ/
US
- /ˈbəldʒ/
Meanings
Noun
a rounded swelling or part that sticks out
a temporary or noticeable increase in a number or amount
(informal)the visible outline of genitals under clothing
More meaningsFewer meanings
the dense rounded central region of a galaxy
Verb
to swell or stick out in a rounded shape
Beyond the definition
Imagine packing too much into a backpack—the seams stretch, and it bulges outward! That's the perfect way to visualize this word. A bulge is a swelling or protuberance, something that sticks out from an otherwise smooth or flat surface. It can be literal, like a bulge in a car tire, or figurative, like the bulge of muscles someone develops through weightlifting. Sometimes it hints at something hidden; a suspicious bulge under someone's coat might make you wonder what they are concealing. Think about a snake that has swallowed a large meal; its stomach will bulge. The word often implies a noticeable, sometimes unnatural, expansion.
A bulge describes a swelling or protuberance—something that extends outward from a generally smooth surface. It suggests stretching, expanding, or pressure from within, creating a visible and sometimes concerning shape.
You might notice a bulge in a wall indicating water damage, or a bulge in a road caused by tree roots growing underneath. It can be subtle, like the slight bulge of a vein on a hand, or dramatic, like the bulge created when someone stuffs too many books into an already overflowing bag.
Figuratively, "bulge" describes a sudden or temporary increase in something abstract. For example, a "population bulge" refers to a significant rise in a specific age group, often seen in demographic charts. It can also suggest hidden contents or intentions—a detective might investigate a suspicious bulge under a suspect's clothing.
In common use today, people also apply it in medical contexts (like a bulging disc), but the core idea stays the same: something pushes outward against its boundary, creating a noticeable change in shape or amount.
Examples
- 1
Packing
The suitcase bulged after I tried to squeeze in one more sweater.
- 2
Full bag
His backpack was bulging with textbooks.
- Patternbulging with + contents
so full that it sticks out
- 3
Surprise
Her eyes bulged in surprise when she saw the size of the bill.
- Phraseeyes bulged
opened very wide
- 4
Wall damage
There was a small bulge in the wall where the pipe had leaked.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Muscles
The runner’s leg muscles bulged as he pushed up the hill.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- dent
- flat surface
Used with (collocations)
- a bulge in the wall
- a visible bulge
- a suspicious bulge
Word family
Explore
- surface irregularity
- deformation
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bulgenounverb
Forms
- bulging-ing formverbnoun
- bulgespluralnounverb
- bulgedpast tenseverbnoun