bulbous

adjective

bul·​bous ˈbəl-bəs How to pronounce bulbous (audio)
1
: having a bulb : growing from or bearing bulbs
2
: resembling a bulb especially in roundness
a bulbous nose
bulbously adverb

Examples of bulbous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Image The island is home to some of the most iconic, and unusual, mammals on earth, species like orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys with their bulbous noses. Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 The second photograph contains a wet, bulbous, red lump held between two fingers and pierced by a needle guiding a black thread, possibly in reference to the stitching of the perineal tear after childbirth. Jenny Wu, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2024 The colorful and bulbous case is made out of thick foam that completely envelopes the tablet. PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024 The sparkling hue helps accentuate the carbon-fiber body kit that includes a new front splitter, bulbous fenders in the front and back, as well as a giant rear wing. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulbous 

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulbous was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near bulbous

Cite this Entry

“Bulbous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulbous. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bulbous

adjective
bulb·​ous
ˈbəl-bəs
1
: having a bulb : growing from or bearing bulbs
2
: resembling a bulb in being rounded or swollen
a bulbous nose

Medical Definition

bulbous

adjective
bul·​bous ˈbəl-bəs How to pronounce bulbous (audio)
: resembling a bulb especially in roundness or the gross enlargement of a part
the bulbous expansion at the base of a hair

More from Merriam-Webster on bulbous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!