Bilge

/bɪld͡ʒ/ · noun

Meaning

(nautical) The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides..

Definitions by Sense

1. (nautical) The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides.
2. (nautical) The lowest inner part of a ship's hull, where water accumulates.
3. (uncountable) The water accumulated in the bilge; bilge water.
4. (slang, uncountable) Stupid talk or writing; nonsense.
5. The bulging part of a barrel or cask.
6. (nautical, intransitive) To spring a leak in the bilge.
7. (intransitive) To bulge or swell.
8. (nautical, transitive) To break open the bilge(s) of.

Example Sentences

talk bilge

complete bilge

"The whole thing is the most absolute bilge and a disgrace to our legislature."

That they can, with a straight face, praise it as good scholarship calls into question whether they can any longer recognize even passable scholarship. More likely, however, they know bilge when they see it—but laud this particular bilge nonetheless because it furthers a common partisan interest.

Synonyms for bilge

Antonyms for bilge

Related Words

Word Forms

• bilges
• bilging
• bilged

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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