bump
buhmp
Bump (noun) means a light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes. Example: “We felt a sudden bump as the plane touched down.”
noun
1
A light collision or jolt, or the sound it makes.
"We felt a sudden bump as the plane touched down."
"I heard a loud bump upstairs and went to check."
"The car came to a stop with a small bump."
2
A small swelling or lump on a surface or on the skin.
"The bee sting left a red bump on her arm."
"He got a bump on his forehead after hitting the cupboard door."
"The road was full of bumps and potholes."
3
Informal term for a pregnant woman's swollen belly.
"He gently rested his hand on her growing bump."
"At the party, her bump was just starting to show."
"She proudly showed off her baby bump."
verb
1
To knock against something, or to move someone or something to a later position or time.
"Be careful not to bump the table while I'm painting it."
"I accidentally bumped into her in the hallway."
"The airline bumped him to a later flight."
2
To reply to an online post specifically to push it back to the top of a list.
"I'm bumping this post in case anyone missed it yesterday."
"Please don't bump old threads just to say thanks."
"He bumped the thread hoping someone would finally answer."
How to use bump
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA light knock or collision, a small swelling, or (as a verb) to knock into something or push something later/higher.
Common pairings
bump into someone
get bumped
bump a thread
baby bump
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Word forms
- Plural
- bumps
- Third person singular
- bumps
- Past tense
- bumped
Fill the gap
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We felt a sudden _____ as the plane touched down.
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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bump
See all rhymes for 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.
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