goosebumps
3 synonyms for goosebumps, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The small raised bumps that appear on the skin when you are cold, frightened or deeply moved, caused by tiny muscles pulling the hairs upright.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use goosebumps
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
give me goosebumps
covered in goosebumps
goosebumps down my arms
Everyday English. Goosebumps is the usual American and increasingly international form; goose pimples is the traditional British one.
Etymology
So called because the bumpy skin resembles that of a plucked goose.
Full origin of goosebumps →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between goosebumps and goose pimples?
None at all; they are regional variants for the same thing. Goosebumps dominates in American English, goose pimples in older British usage, and gooseflesh is the more literary term.
Why do we get goosebumps when we are not cold?
The same reflex that fluffs up fur to trap heat also fluffs it up to make an animal look bigger when threatened or excited. Humans kept the reflex but lost the fur, so strong emotion, music or fear still triggers it even in a warm room.
Is there a medical name for goosebumps?
Yes, horripilation, also called the pilomotor reflex. It describes the contraction of the tiny arrector pili muscles attached to each hair follicle.
