bilge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (nautical), Informal (meaning nonsense)
Quick answer
What does “bilge” mean?
The lowest, often foul-smelling, inner part of a ship's hull where water and waste collect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The lowest, often foul-smelling, inner part of a ship's hull where water and waste collect; also means nonsense or worthless talk.
Can refer to anything considered worthless, foolish, or offensive; in some technical contexts, the bulging part of a barrel or cask.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major usage differences. Both use the nautical and 'nonsense' senses. The 'nonsense' sense is perhaps slightly more common in UK informal speech.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both senses. Implies something is not just worthless but actively unpleasant or offensive.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use. Higher frequency in nautical contexts. The 'nonsense' sense is informal and occasionally heard.
Grammar
How to Use “bilge” in a Sentence
Nonsense: X talks/writes/speaks bilge.Nautical: They pumped/cleaned/emptied the bilge.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bilge” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old boat had started to bilge and was taking on water.
- He managed to bilge the hull on a hidden rock.
American English
- We need to repair the section that bilged during the storm.
- The yacht bilged after the collision.
adjective
British English
- The bilge pump was working overtime.
- They cleared out the bilge tank.
American English
- Check the bilge alarm system.
- The bilge compartment was flooded.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to dismiss a proposal: 'That report is complete bilge.'
Academic
Very rare. Would be considered overly informal and pejorative.
Everyday
Used informally to express strong disagreement or contempt for an idea or statement.
Technical
Standard term in marine engineering and boating for the lowest compartment and the water within it.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bilge”
- Misspelling as 'bulge'.
- Using it as a countable noun for 'nonsense' (e.g., 'He told a bilge' is incorrect; 'He talked bilge' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When meaning 'nonsense', it is strongly dismissive and informal, but not a swear word. It is more forceful than 'rubbish' but less vulgar than stronger slang terms.
Yes, but it's rare and technical. It means for a ship's hull to be fractured so that water enters the bilge, or to cause such a fracture (e.g., 'The ship bilged on the reef').
Both can mean 'nonsense'. 'Bilge' evokes foul liquid and is slightly old-fashioned. 'Bull' (short for 'bullshit') is more common, coarser, and often implies deliberate deception.
It's almost always a non-count (mass) noun. You talk about 'the bilge' (on a ship) or 'some bilge' (nonsense). You wouldn't say 'a bilge' or 'bilges' in the 'nonsense' sense.
The lowest, often foul-smelling, inner part of a ship's hull where water and waste collect.
Bilge is usually technical (nautical), informal (meaning nonsense) in register.
Bilge: in British English it is pronounced /bɪldʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪldʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Talk bilge”
- “That's a load of bilge!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BILGE on a ship as a place where 'bad' things collect. The 'nonsense' meaning is like saying someone's words are as worthless as the foul waste water in a ship's bilge.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE FOUL LIQUID / TRUTH IS CLEAN, FALSEHOOD IS FILTH.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts would 'bilge' be the LEAST appropriate term to use?