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bubble wrap

bubble wrap

7 1.7
A soft plastic sheet with many small air bubbles that stops fragile things from breaking when you pack them
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌbəl ræp/
translation icon : plástico de burbujas
  • Finally, he pried open the crate and removed several layers of brown paper and plastic bubble wrap from the object inside.
  • plastic bubble wrap
  • popping bubble wrap
  • roll of bubble wrap

It's wrapped in so much bubble wrap, which is great right now.

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Examples

  • Honey, do we have any bubble wrap?

  • Always use bubble mailers (not regular envelopes), packing peanuts, sturdy boxes, and bubble wrap.

    Blog text (16)
  • No, I saw some big boxes in there and some bubble wrap.

  • It's wrapped in so much bubble wrap, which is great right now.

  • I found this bubble wrap in a package my neighbor got.

  • Instead, she and her friend Boo had loads of fun with the bubble wrap and box.

    Blog text (14)
  • Wrap each plate three times with bubble wrap insert.

  • Their Moving Kit includes 9 large boxes of various sizes, two rolls of heavy-duty tape, and bubble wrap.

    Blog text (9)
  • I found this bubble wrap in a package my neighbor got.

  • There was a big roll of bubble wrap there, and she began by cutting off several thick sheets.

Synonyms

wrap
vsbubble wrap
49 1.0

A covering made of paper or plastic that protects things

is a flexible plastic cushioning sheet with air pockets for fragile items
wrapping
vsbubble wrap
45 1.0

Material used to cover and protect something, like a bandage or gift paper

is intended mainly to cushion fragile goods with air pockets not just cover them
packaging
vsbubble wrap
32 2.2

Material used to hold and protect products during storage or transport

focuses on cushioning fragile items rather than general product enclosure
packing
vsbubble wrap
25 1.0

Material used to wrap and protect things during transport

is specifically a plastic sheet with air pockets for fragile items
bubble pack
vsbubble wrap
  • US
1 3.0

A clear plastic cover with small bubbles that holds a product on a piece of cardboard

is a single pliable plastic sheet with regular air pockets for cushioning
plastic film
vsbubble wrap
1 2.9

A thin, flexible sheet of plastic used to wrap or cover things to protect them

is made with air pockets to cushion fragile items during transport

How Protective

foam
74 2.6
bubble wrap
7 1.7
packing
25 1.0
cardboard
147 1.0

Surface Forms

bubble wrap singular
bubble wraps plural

Morphology

bubble + wrap

The phrase is a straightforward compound: 'bubble' (air-filled spheres) + 'wrap' (a covering), so the meaning — a covering made of bubbles used to protect items — follows directly from the constituents. This composition pattern is common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the product's purpose.

Etymology

Bubble wrap comes from sheets covered with many small air pockets, like tiny balloons, that you use to cover things. The bubbles act as little cushions and the wrap surrounds fragile items, so it is used for 'protecting' objects in boxes.