Bulging
/ˈbʌldʒɪŋ/
adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Swollen or protruding beyond the usual limits.
/ˈbʌldʒɪŋ/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
General
Protruding; swollen.
Her eyes were bulging with surprise.
💡 Simply: Sticking out because it's too full or swollen.
More Examples
2
The overflowing backpack had a bulging pocket.
How It's Used
Physical Description
"His bulging biceps strained against his shirt."
Medical
"The patient presented with a bulging disc in their lower back."
From Middle English *bulgen, from Old English *bulgian, of uncertain origin. Possibly related to Old Norse *bulga, meaning 'bag'.
The word has been used to describe physical protrusions since at least the Middle English period.
Memory tip
Think of a balloon about to burst – it's bulging!
Practice
Base: bulge
bulginggbulginbuldgeing
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written