Bunion
/ˈbʌn.jən/noun
A painful swelling and deformity at the base of the big toe, usually caused by misalignment of the joint.
Did you know?Bunion entered English through French, but the French source bugne—meaning a lump or swelling—has no securely established deeper origin, making this a rare medical word with an etymological mystery at its core.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle Ages
French
bugne
“A lump, swelling, or bump; the immediate source of English bunion.”
16th–17th Century
French
bugnon
“A swelling or protuberance, related to the same French word-family.”
Early 18th Century
English
bunion
“A swelling or tumor at the base of the great toe.”
18th–19th Century
Medical English
bunion
“A recognized deformity involving the big-toe joint.”
Modern English
English
bunion
“A painful enlargement and misalignment of the joint at the base of the big toe.”
Explore more surprising origins