bulge

¹

[buhlj]

noun

1. a rounded projection, bend, or protruding part; protuberance; hump.

   a bulge in a wall.

2. any sudden increase, as of numbers, sales, or prices.

   the bulge in profits.

3. a rising in small waves on the surface of a body of water, caused by the action of a fish or fishes in pursuit of food underwater.

verb (used without object)

bulged, bulging 

1. to swell or bend outward; be protuberant.

   Synonyms: project, protrude

2. to be filled to capacity.

   The box bulged with cookies.

verb (used with object)

bulged, bulging 

1. to make protuberant; cause to swell.

Bulge

²

[buhlj]

noun

1. Battle of the, the final major German counteroffensive in World War II, begun December 16, 1944, and thrusting deep into Allied territory in N and E Belgium: repulsed January 1945.

bulge

¹

/ bʌldʒ /

noun

1. a swelling or an outward curve

2. a sudden increase in number or volume, esp of population

3. another name for baby boom

4. the projecting part of an army's front line; salient

verb

1. to swell outwards

Bulge

²

/ bʌldʒ /

noun

1. (in World War II) the final major German counteroffensive in 1944 when the Allied forces were pushed back into NE Belgium; the Germans were repulsed by Jan 1945

Pronunciation Note

See bulk ¹.

Other Word Forms

• bulgingly adverb
• outbulge verb
• bulginess noun
• bulging adjective
• bulgy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulge¹

1200–50; Middle English: bag, hump < Old French < Latin bulga bag < Celtic; compare Irish bolg bag

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulge¹

C13: from Old French bouge , from Latin bulga bag, probably of Gaulish origin

Example Sentences

They’re vicious caricatures of Richard Nixon, with his face reduced to bulging, stubbled cheeks and a tubular nose.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Still, a buildup bulges outside of the golf course, as security holds fans at the entrance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There is an air of inevitability around Harry Kane this season, as he breaks records and sees nets bulge for Bayern Munich.

Read more on BBC

But after noticing that Molly's fontanelle - the soft spot on the top of her head - was bulging when she was 12 weeks, a doctor in A&E diagnosed a large brain tumour.

Read more on BBC

TikTok videos show boys as young as 13 and 14 in school toilets, flexing veiny biceps which bulge out of their school uniforms.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• lump 
• nodule 
• wart