bulgy

Sticking out noticeably

Bulgy means protruding or swelling outward, having bulges: bulgy eyes, a bulgy suitcase stuffed with clothes.

The word is informal and slightly playful—you're more likely to encounter it describing cartoon characters or overpacked bags than in formal writing.

swollen

puffy

Swollen with air

bloatedSwelled from excess
distendedSwollen from pressure within
engorgedSwollen from excess filling

inflated · turgid · tumescent · puffed up · swelling · plump · full · stretched · ballooning · expanded

rounded

spherical

Globe-like in form

globularSphere-shaped
bulbousSwollen and round
domedWith rounded roof

curved · rotund · plump · convex · pouchy · puffed · pillowy · rounded · bobbled · knobby

protruding

protrusion

Part extending outward

bumpSlight collision or protrusion
jutExtend outward sharply
knobRounded gripping fixture

pouch · outgrowth · swell · protuberance · outcrop · overhang · ledge · convex · distend · billow

Opposites

surface contour/protrusion

Curving inward, not outward

flat · sunken · indented · depressed · hollow

smoothness/regularity

Without roughness or difficulty

flat · even · sleek · streamlined · uniform

volume/compression

bulgycompressed

Reduced by pressure

deflated · flattened · shrunken · compact · squeezed

Phrases

bulging eyesAbnormally protruding ocular organs
Battle of the Bulge1944 Ardennes forest offensive
bulging discSpinal cushion protruding outward
tidal bulgeGravitational water displacement toward moon
disc bulgeSpinal cushion protrusion

Family

bulge, bulging, bulges, bulged

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G