# bulb

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbʌlb/ · frequency rank #11,846

## Definitions
1. The bulb-shaped underground portion of a plant such as a tulip, consisting of a shortened stem and many fleshy scale leaves, from which the rest of the plant may be regrown.
2. The medulla oblongata.
3. Any solid object rounded at one end and tapering on the other, possibly attached to a larger object at the tapered end.
4. Any solid object rounded at one end and tapering on the other, possibly attached to a larger object at the tapered end.
5. A bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of certain vessels to reduce turbulence.
6. An onion.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós)bor.
Latin bulbusder.
English bulb
Inherited from Middle English bulb, bolbe, from Latin bulbus (“bulb, onion”), from Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós, “plant with round swelling on underground stem”).

## Easily confused with
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-but)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-buy)
- **bus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bus)
- **bum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bum)
- **bun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bun)
- **bur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bur)
- **busy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-busy)
- **burn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-burn)
- **bush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bush)
- **bull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bull)
- **butt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-butt)
- **bulk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bulk)
- **buzz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-buzz)
- **bust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bust)
- **bump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bump)
- **buys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-buys)
- **bury** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bury)
- **bunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-bunk)
- **Burt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-burt)
- **buns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulb-vs-buns)

## Common misspellings (6)
`bbulb`, `blub`, `bubl`, `bulbb`, `bullb`, `ublb`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bulb