bulb
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 5The 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.
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.
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
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
The onion plants will bulb faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.
everydayThe onion plants will develop rounded bases faster if you provide them with enough nitrogen and consistent watering.
The glassblower watched the molten material bulb at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.
formalThe glassblower watched the molten material swell into a round shape at the end of the pipe as he applied pressure.
If you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might bulb out before the main body does.
informalIf you blow into the balloon too hard, the neck might swell out before the main body does.
The anatomical study observed that the tendon begins to bulb slightly where it attaches to the bone.
academicThe anatomical study observed that the tendon begins to swell into a rounded shape slightly where it attaches to the bone.
We need to ensure that the plastic casing doesn't bulb under high-temperature stress during production.
businessWe need to ensure that the plastic casing doesn't swell or deform into a round shape under high-temperature stress during production.
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
Bulge is a general term for any swelling, while bulb specifically implies a rounded, spherical, or onion-like shape.
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
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 Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
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