bubble

American  

[buhb-uhl] / ˈbʌb əl /

noun

1. a nearly spherical body of gas contained in a liquid.

2. a small globule of gas in a thin liquid envelope.

3. a globule of air or gas, or a globular vacuum, contained in a solid.

4. anything that lacks firmness, substance, or permanence; an illusion or delusion.

5. the act or sound of bubbling.

6. a spherical or nearly spherical canopy or shelter; dome.

   The bombing plane bristled with machine-gun bubbles.

   A network of radar bubbles stretches across northern Canada.

7. a domelike structure, usually of inflated plastic, used to enclose a swimming pool, tennis court, etc.

8. a protected, exempt, or unique area, industry, etc..

   The oasis is a bubble of green in the middle of the desert.

9. an area that can be defended, protected, patrolled, etc., or that comes under one's jurisdiction.

   The carrier fleet's bubble includes the Hawaiian Islands.

10. a zone of cognitive or psychological isolation, in which one’s preexisting ideas are reinforced through interactions with like-minded people or those with similar social identities.

    You can’t live in your own partisan political bubble 364 days of the year and then expect to happily reconnect with your family at Thanksgiving.

11. 1. a group or circle of people who interact or socialize with one another because of familial ties, shared interests, etc..

       I do try to expand my social bubble and look for opportunities to make new friends.

    2.  pod.  a small group of people who interact or socialize exclusively with one another in order to contain the spread of a contagious disease.

       I’m only getting together with my quarantine bubble of five family members.

12. Economics.

    1. Also called speculative bubble.  Also called asset price bubble.  an inflated speculation that causes an unsustainable increase in the value of goods, property, or other investment.

       The real-estate bubble ruined many investors when it burst.

    2. a sudden, temporary change or divergence from a trend.

       In May there was a bubble in car sales, with three percent more being sold than last year.

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verb (used without object)

bubbled, bubbling

1. to form, produce, or release bubbles; effervesce.

2. to flow or spout with a gurgling noise; gurgle.

3. to boil.

   The water bubbled in the pot.

4. to speak, move, issue forth, or exist in a lively, sparkling manner; exude cheer.

   The play bubbled with songs and dances.

5. to seethe or stir, as with excitement.

   His mind bubbles with plans and schemes.

verb (used with object)

bubbled, bubbling

1. to cause to bubble; make bubbles in.

2. Archaic. to cheat; deceive; swindle.

verb phrase

1. bubble over to become lively.

   The last time I saw her she was bubbling over with enthusiasm.

idioms

1. burst someone’s bubble, to diminish someone’s enthusiasm or optimism, especially with a reminder of sobering facts or realistic expectations.

bubble British  

/ ˈbʌbəl /

noun

1. a thin film of liquid forming a hollow globule around air or a gas

   a soap bubble

2. a small globule of air or a gas in a liquid or a solid, as in carbonated drinks, glass, etc

3. the sound made by a bubbling liquid

4. something lacking substance, stability, or seriousness

5. an unreliable scheme or enterprise

6. a dome, esp a transparent glass or plastic one

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verb

1. to form or cause to form bubbles

2. (intr) to move or flow with a gurgling sound

3. to overflow (with excitement, anger, etc)

4. (intr) to snivel; blubber

bubble Cultural  

1. A period of wild speculation in which the price of a commodity or stock or an entire market is inflated far beyond its real value. Bubbles are said to “burst” when a general awareness of the folly emerges and the price drops.

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Other Word Forms

• bubbleless adjective
• bubblelike adjective
• bubblingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of bubble

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English noun bobel; cognate with Middle Dutch bobbel, bubbel, Middle Low German bubbele, Swedish bubbla

Example Sentences

“We’re only going to be focused on what we’re doing, staying in that bubble, staying together, staying as one team,” Matthews said.

From Los Angeles Times

Enter some chill time in the room, more bubbles by Nemos and the yoga.

From The Wall Street Journal

Just a few days after American troops swept into Panama, the Japanese stock market bubble popped.

From Barron's

He reasons that when a cycle-ending catalyst does appear—whether tighter monetary policy, recession, runaway inflation, an asset bubble bursting, or global shock—there have always been distinct warning signs.

From Barron's

The water bubbles up hot from the earth and sunlight filters down through the branches of mighty oaks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boil
• burble
• churn
• erupt
• fester
• gurgle
• gush
• percolate
• seep
• seethe
• simmer
• smolder
• sparkle
• stir
• trickle