What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
herniate
Example
The patient was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his lower back. [herniated: adjective]
Example
The water pressure was so high that it caused the pipe to herniate and burst. [herniate: verb]
bulge
Example
The tires on the car had a noticeable bulge on the sidewall. [bulge: noun]
Example
The backpack was so full that it started to bulge at the seams. [bulge: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bulge is more commonly used than herniate in everyday language. Bulge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while herniate is less common and more specific to medical terminology.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between herniate and bulge?
While herniate is typically associated with a clinical or technical tone, bulge is more commonly used in informal contexts but can also be used in formal settings depending on the context.