noun
Uncommon
hump
huhmp
Hump (noun) means a rounded raised lump or bulge, such as on a camel's back or in a road. Example: “The car slowed down for the speed hump.”
noun
1
A rounded raised lump or bulge, such as on a camel's back or in a road.
"The car slowed down for the speed hump."
"The camel's hump stores fat, not water."
verb
1
(informal) To carry something heavy, especially with effort.
"They humped their suitcases up four flights of stairs."
How to use hump
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rounded bump — on an animal, road, or landscape — or, informally, to lug something heavy around.
When to use it
"Hump" also has crude slang meanings (for sex); use with care depending on context.
Common pairings
speed hump
camel's hump
hump a bag
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Word forms
- Plural
- humps
- Third person singular
- humps
- Past tense
- humped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car slowed down for the speed _____.
Etymology
Likely borrowed from Dutch or Low German words meaning "lump" or "heap," related to a wider Germanic root for something curved.
Related words
Rhymes for hump
See all rhymes for hump →Frequently asked questions
What does “hump” mean?
The word “hump” means a rounded raised lump or bulge, such as on a camel's back or in a road. In plain terms, a rounded bump — on an animal, road, or landscape — or, informally, to lug something heavy around.
How do you pronounce “hump”?
“Hump” is pronounced huhmp (/hʌmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “hump” in a sentence?
Here is “hump” used in a sentence: “The car slowed down for the speed hump.”
What is another word for “hump”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hump” include shoulder, tote, trek, walk, bone and ride.
What part of speech is “hump”?
Depending on how it is used, “hump” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hump” come from?
The word “hump” comes from Germanic. Likely borrowed from Dutch or Low German words meaning "lump" or "heap," related to a wider Germanic root for something curved.
Is “hump” a common word?
“Hump” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hump” have?
“Hump” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rounded raised lump or bulge, such as on a camel's back or in a road.
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