noun
bulge
BUHLJ
noun
1
A part that swells or sticks out from an otherwise flat or smooth surface.
"There was a strange bulge in the wallpaper where the pipe ran behind it."
"A bulge in his jacket pocket revealed he was carrying his phone."
2
A sudden increase in the size or value of something.
"Retailers reported a bulge in sales just before the holidays."
verb
1
To swell or push outward, especially under pressure.
"His eyes bulged in surprise when he heard the news."
How to Use Bulge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA part that swells out from a surface, or a sudden jump in size or amount.
Common pairings
bulge outward
a slight bulge
population bulge
Word Forms
bulged past tense, bulges plural, bulges singular
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Etymology
From Old French boulge, "leather bag," ultimately from a Celtic root meaning "sack" or "belly" — related to "bilge," "belly," and "budget."