bulbous

American  

[buhl-buhs] / ˈbʌl bəs /

Also bulbaceous

adjective

1. bulb-shaped; bulging.

2. having or growing from bulbs.

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bulbous British  

/ ˈbʌlbəs /

adjective

1. shaped like a bulb; swollen; bulging

2. growing from or bearing bulbs

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonbulbous
  adjective
• bulbously
  adverb
• nonbulbaceous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bulbous

From the Latin word bulbōsus, dating back to 1570–80. See bulb, -ous

Explanation

Something that's bulbous is round or bulging. If you hit your head on the edge of your locker, you may end up with a tender, bulbous lump. While anything that has the shape of a bulb — like an onion or a light bulb — can be described as bulbous, it almost always describes someone's nose. It's not very nice to tell your friend he has a bulbous nose, though it may be accurate. You can also call a plant bulbous if it's grown from a bulb. This is the earliest, 16th century use of the word, while the "bulb-shaped" meaning came along about 200 years later.

Related Words

• curled
• curved
• cylindrical
• elliptical
• oval
• rounded
• spherical