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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Bulge: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：protuberance (bulge)

bulge 🔊

/bʌldʒ/

n./v.

A rounded swelling on an otherwise flat surface.

Bulge illustration: a backpack's rounded outward protrusion against a wall.

protuberance 🔊

➕

/proʊˈtuːbərəns/

n./v.

A rounded outward swelling or projection from an otherwise flat or smooth surface.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Likely from Old French 'boulge' (leather bag, wallet), related to Latin 'bulga' (leather sack).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a BULK-y GEar creating a bulge in a bag. 'BUL' sounds like 'ball', a rounded shape that bulges out.

📖 Example

His backpack was so full that it created a noticeable bulge against the wall. 🔊 His backpack was so full that it created a noticeable protuberance against the wall.

🔗 Collocations

noticeable bulge – an easily seen outward swelling

bulge at the seams – to be so full that the seams are stretched outward

pocket bulge – the outline of a swollen pocket caused by its contents

🔄 Synonyms

lump (n.) – A compact mass of a substance, often causing a protrusion.

bump (n.) – A slight swelling or raised area on a surface.

protrusion (n.) – Something that sticks out from a surface.

🚫 Antonyms

depression (n.) – A sunken or hollow area on a surface.

hollow (n.) – An empty space or indentation within a solid body.

indentation (n.) – A recess or notch in a surface.

🌱 Derivatives

bulgy (adj.) – Having a tendency to bulge or appear swollen.

📖 Cultural Story

In modern usage, 'bulge' has a famous military context in WWII's 'Battle of the Bulge', referring to the salient (bulge) in the Allied front line created by the German offensive. The term 'budget' also shares the same Latin root 'bulga' (bag), linking the idea of a bag's contents to financial plans.

Meaning 2：swell (bulge)

bulge 🔊

/bʌldʒ/

n./v.

To stick out from a surface in a rounded shape.

swell 🔊

➕

/swel/

n./v.

To protrude or swell outward in a rounded shape, often due to internal pressure or muscular tension.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The veins in his forearm began to bulge as he lifted the heavy box. 🔊 The veins in his forearm began to swell as he lifted the heavy box.

🔗 Collocations

bulge out – to protrude or swell outward suddenly

eyes bulge – eyes protrude widely, often from surprise or shock

muscles bulge – muscles swell and stand out prominently

🔄 Synonyms

protrude (v.) – To extend beyond or above a surface.

swell (v.) – To become larger or rounder in size, often from internal pressure.

distend (v.) – To swell or cause to swell from internal pressure.

🚫 Antonyms

recede (v.) – To move back or away from a limit or point.

flatten (v.) – To make or become flat.

contract (v.) – To become smaller or draw together.