bulbous

adjective

bul·​bous ˈbəl-bəs 

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

With its distinctive bulbous body and tall, narrow chimney, the freestanding, front-loading outdoor fireplace retains and radiates heat more effectively than an open fire pit. —Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Lydia said in a confessional, referencing the giant, bulbous pink hat on her head, and the long, furry coat that also had large, puffy balls made of fabric dragging down by her heels. —EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025

These are bulbous pillows of lava that form enormous mounds that can overwhelm everything around them. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

This bulbous Oxalis makes small white bulbs all along the length of its deep roots. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 

: resembling a bulb especially in roundness or the gross enlargement of a part

the bulbous expansion at the base of a hair