noun
bilge
bihlj
Bilge (noun) means the lowest part of a ship's hull, where water collects. Example: “The crew pumped out the bilge after the storm.”
noun
1
The lowest part of a ship's hull, where water collects.
"The crew pumped out the bilge after the storm."
2
Nonsense; foolish or worthless talk.
""The whole thing is the most absolute bilge and a disgrace to our legislature.""
— , In which the Notorious Criminal Gets what the British Law Considers to be His Deserts (1925)
"Don't listen to that bilge he posts online."
How to use bilge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bottom of a ship's hull (and its stagnant water), or, informally, rubbish talk.
When to use it
The "nonsense" sense is informal and mostly British.
Common pairings
pump the bilge
talking bilge
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bilge.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- bilges
- Third person singular
- bilges
- Past tense
- bilged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crew pumped out the _____ after the storm.
Etymology
Likely a variant of bulge, tied to the curved shape of a ship's lower hull.
Synonyms
View more →
bilge water
Frequently asked questions
What does “bilge” mean?
The word “bilge” means the lowest part of a ship's hull, where water collects. In plain terms, the bottom of a ship's hull (and its stagnant water), or, informally, rubbish talk.
How do you pronounce “bilge”?
“Bilge” is pronounced bihlj (/bɪld͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bilge” in a sentence?
Here is “bilge” used in a sentence: “The crew pumped out the bilge after the storm.”
What part of speech is “bilge”?
“Bilge” is a noun.
How many meanings does “bilge” have?
“Bilge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the lowest part of a ship's hull, where water collects.
