bump
21 synonyms for bump, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes.
“We felt a sudden bump as the plane touched down.”
How to use bump
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bump into someone
get bumped
bump a thread
baby bump
Etymology
From Early Modern English "bump" meaning a blow from a collision, likely of North Germanic origin and imitative in nature — related to "bum" and "bumble."
Full origin of bump →Frequently asked questions
What does “bump” mean?
The word “bump” means a light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes. In plain terms, a light knock or collision, a small swelling, or (as a verb) to knock into something or push something later/higher.
How do you pronounce “bump”?
“Bump” is pronounced buhmp (/bʌmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “bump” in a sentence?
Here is “bump” used in a sentence: “The car came to a stop with a small bump.”
What part of speech is “bump”?
Depending on how it is used, “bump” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bump” come from?
The word “bump” comes from Germanic. From Early Modern English "bump" meaning a blow from a collision, likely of North Germanic origin and imitative in nature — related to "bum" and "bumble.".
Is “bump” a common word?
“Bump” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bump” have?
“Bump” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes.
What is the difference between a bump and a lump?
Both name small swellings, but a bump typically sits on a surface — of the skin or of a road — and often results from a knock or jolt. A lump suggests a solid mass and, on the body, more often refers to swelling under the skin rather than on it.
