B2 verb Neutral

bulb

/bʌlb/

To swell or take on a rounded, bulb-like shape; in horticulture, it refers to the process where a plant develops a bulbous base. It describes the physical expansion of an object into a spherical or curved form, often used in technical or botanical contexts.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The onion plants will bulb faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.

The onion plants will develop rounded bases faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.

2

The glassblower watched the molten material bulb at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.

The glassblower watched the molten material swell into a round shape at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.

3

If you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might bulb out before the main body does.

If you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might swell out before the main body does.

Word Family

Noun
bulb
Verb
bulb
Adverb
bulbously
Adjective
bulbous
Related
bulbil
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a light bulb growing or 'bulbing' out from a thin glass stem to help remember the rounded swelling motion.

Quick Quiz

The glassblower carefully controlled the air pressure to make the molten glass ___ into a perfect sphere.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bulb

Examples

1

The onion plants will bulb faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.

everyday

The onion plants will develop rounded bases faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.

2

The glassblower watched the molten material bulb at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.

formal

The glassblower watched the molten material swell into a round shape at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.

3

If you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might bulb out before the main body does.

informal

If you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might swell out before the main body does.

4

The anatomical study observed that the tendon begins to bulb slightly where it attaches to the bone.

academic

The anatomical study observed that the tendon begins to swell into a rounded shape slightly where it attaches to the bone.

5

We need to ensure that the plastic casing doesn't bulb under high-temperature stress during production.

business

We need to ensure that the plastic casing doesn't swell or deform into a round shape under high-temperature stress during production.

Word Family

Noun
bulb
Verb
bulb
Adverb
bulbously
Adjective
bulbous
Related
bulbil

Common Collocations

start to bulb begin to form a rounded shape
bulb outward swell in an outward direction
bulb at the base form a rounded shape at the bottom
bulb significantly swell into a round shape to a large degree
bulb under pressure expand into a sphere due to force

Common Phrases

bulb out

to swell or expand into a rounded shape

light bulb moment

a moment of sudden inspiration or realization (noun usage, but the primary idiom)

bulbous growth

a rounded, swollen increase in size

Often Confused With

bulb vs bulge

Bulge is a general term for any swelling, while bulb specifically implies a rounded, spherical, or onion-like shape.

bulb vs bloom

Bloom refers to the flowering part of a plant, whereas bulb (as a verb) refers to the development of the underground storage organ.

📝

Usage Notes

The verb 'bulb' is most commonly used in gardening and botany (onion bulbing) or in crafts like glassblowing. In general English, 'bulge' or 'swell' is more common for non-technical descriptions.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'bulb' as a verb to mean 'to light up,' but 'bulb' refers only to the shape or the botanical process, not the emission of light.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a light bulb growing or 'bulbing' out from a thin glass stem to help remember the rounded swelling motion.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'bulbus', which means an onion or a bulbous root, originally from Greek 'bolbos'.

Grammar Patterns

Regular verb conjugation: bulbed, bulbing, bulbs. Often used as an intransitive verb (e.g., 'The plants bulbed'). Can be used in the progressive form 'bulbing' to describe a current state of growth.

Quick Quiz

The glassblower carefully controlled the air pressure to make the molten glass ___ into a perfect sphere.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bulb

Related Words

contraposable

C1

To subject a logical proposition to contraposition, which involves negating both the subject and the predicate and reversing their order. This operation is used in formal logic to derive a statement that is logically equivalent to the original conditional statement.

inplictude

C1

The quality or state of being implicit rather than expressly stated. It refers to the presence of underlying meanings, suggestions, or unspoken assumptions within a communication or situation.

intravincive

C1

Describing the internal forces, bonds, or links within a structure or group that promote cohesion and stability. It refers to the quality of being self-binding or inwardly connected, often preventing a system from breaking apart.

disturbward

C1

Describing a direction, tendency, or progression toward a state of disturbance, agitation, or disorder. It characterizes something that is increasingly becoming unsettled or disruptive rather than maintaining stability.

abdocion

C1

Describing a movement, force, or logical process that leads away from a central axis or established standard. It is primarily used in specialized technical contexts to describe muscles pulling a limb away from the body or ideas that diverge from a main thesis.

postturbism

C1

Relating to the state of calm or the specific social and psychological atmosphere that follows a period of intense upheaval or turbulence. It describes the condition of recovering order while still being shaped by the lingering effects of the preceding chaos.

undercidcide

C1

Refers to a state where a decision or ruling has been formulated at a subordinate or preliminary level but remains subject to higher-level review or finalization. It characterizes a provisional stage in legal or administrative processes where a result is pending official confirmation.

commedicy

C1

Describing something that possesses the structural or thematic essence of a traditional comedy, often characterized by a lighthearted tone and a resolution of conflict. It is used primarily in literary or theatrical analysis to denote the inherent 'spirit' of a humorous work.

foresedty

C1

To preemptively arrange, settle, or establish a situation in order to prevent future complications. It involves taking decisive action based on a prediction to ensure a stable and resolved state before a specific event occurs.

macrophotoity

C1

To capture or document subjects at extreme magnification, typically using specialized photographic equipment to reveal details invisible to the naked eye. This verb describes the action of producing high-resolution, close-up imagery for scientific, forensic, or artistic purposes.

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