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Synonyms

bunion

American  
[buhn-yuhn] / ˈbʌn yən /

noun

  1. inflammation of the synovial bursa of the big toe, usually resulting in enlargement of the joint and lateral displacement of the toe.

bunion British  
/ ˈbʌnjən /

noun

  1. swelling of the first joint of the big toe, which is displaced to one side. An inflamed bursa forms over the joint

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bunion

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps alteration of bunny (obsolete) “lump, swelling,” late Middle English bony, probably alteration of Old French buigne, buyne ( French beigne ) “swelling,” of Germanic origin; beignet

Vocabulary lists containing bunion

Novel Study: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Chapters 1–6

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company reported that it had completed two randomized studies, the first in 1,118 people who had abdominoplasties and the other in 1,073 people who had bunion surgery.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2024

I assume this is neuropathy as a result of bunion surgery and my second toe being permanently straightened several years ago.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2022

Strangely, this adolescent foot had the very distinct protrusion of a bunion on its little toe.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2022

If the above steps don’t relieve pain sufficiently, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove a bunion or straighten a hammertoe.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2022

I was at the end of the aisle, pretending to look at bunion pads to hide myself behind the corner shelf unit, but I saw that the bandage on her cheek was not small.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.