bulge

¹ American  

[buhlj] / bʌldʒ /

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.

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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 American  

[buhlj] / bʌldʒ /

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.

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bulge ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to swell outwards

Bulge ² British  

/ 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

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Pronunciation

See bulk ¹.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of bulge

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

Example Sentences

She reaches over the counter and hands me our Scrabble game and I swallow over a bulge that wrenches up in my throat.

From Literature

“Fox! You’re back! Excellent, just the guy—” As Nine’s eyes rose to Clare’s face, he shrieked and fell backward, releasing his grip on the bulging satchel.

From Literature

Facing construction hurdles and bulging budgets, Saudi Arabia has been paring back its megaprojects since last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is an enviable demographic bulge, the kind that powered East Asia's economic miracles.

From BBC

The command was given and we shuffled forward down the long chilly halls, each carrying a pillowcase, with her belongings forming a little bulge at the bottom.

From Literature

Related Words

• lump
• nodule
• wart