jump
juhmp
Jump (verb) means to push off the ground with your legs so your whole body leaves the surface briefly. Example: “The kids jumped over the puddles on their way to school.”
verb
1
To push off the ground with your legs so your whole body leaves the surface briefly.
"The kids jumped over the puddles on their way to school."
"She jumped for joy when she heard the news."
"The dog jumped up onto the sofa as soon as nobody was looking."
2
To increase suddenly and sharply.
"Prices jumped after the shortage was announced."
"The temperature jumped by ten degrees in a single afternoon."
"Her heart rate jumps whenever she has to speak in front of a crowd."
3
To react with a sudden, involuntary start, usually from fright or surprise.
"She jumped when the phone rang unexpectedly."
"I jumped out of my skin when the door slammed behind me."
"The cat jumped at the sudden crash from the kitchen."
noun
1
An act of jumping, or a sudden increase.
"He cleared the fence in one jump."
"There was a big jump in sales over the summer."
"The long jump is my favourite event at the school sports day."
How to use jump
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo leap into the air, or for a number, to rise suddenly.
Common mistake
To "jump the queue/line" means to unfairly go ahead of others waiting, not literally leaping over them.
Common pairings
jump for joy
jump the queue
jump-start
jump ship
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Word forms
- Plural
- jumps
- Third person singular
- jumps
- Past tense
- jumped
- Comparative
- more jump
- Superlative
- most jump
- Archaic forms
- jumpest, jumpedst, jumpeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids _____ over the puddles on their way to school.
Etymology
From Middle English jumpen, meaning to walk briskly or leap, probably from a Germanic root meaning "to hop or bounce."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for jump
See all rhymes for jump →Frequently asked questions
What does “jump” mean?
The word “jump” means to push off the ground with your legs so your whole body leaves the surface briefly. In plain terms, to leap into the air, or for a number, to rise suddenly.
How do you pronounce “jump”?
“Jump” is pronounced juhmp (/d͡ʒʌmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “jump” in a sentence?
Here is “jump” used in a sentence: “The kids jumped over the puddles on their way to school.”
What is another word for “jump”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jump” include assail, jump someone's bones, rabbit and take off.
What part of speech is “jump”?
Depending on how it is used, “jump” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “jump” come from?
The word “jump” comes from Middle English. From Middle English jumpen, meaning to walk briskly or leap, probably from a Germanic root meaning "to hop or bounce.".
Is “jump” a common word?
“Jump” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “jump” have?
“Jump” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to push off the ground with your legs so your whole body leaves the surface briefly.
What is the difference between jump and leap?
Both mean to spring off the ground, but a leap is usually bigger — a longer or higher jump, often covering distance or suggesting boldness and grace. Jump is the everyday, general term. You might jump over a puddle but leap across a stream. Figuratively, a leap also implies a greater, riskier step.
What is the difference between jump and hop?
A hop is a small, light jump, often on one leg or repeated in quick succession. Animals like rabbits, frogs, and birds hop. Jump is broader and can be far more forceful or higher. So you hop on the spot to keep warm, but jump to reach a high shelf.
What are the figurative meanings of jump?
Beyond the physical action, jump often means to rise suddenly, as in prices jumped overnight. It can mean to seize something eagerly — jump at the chance — or to move ahead unfairly, like jump the queue. It also describes a sudden start of surprise, as when a loud noise makes you jump.
What is an example of jump in a sentence?
In its literal sense: The children jumped over the rope, or The cat jumped onto the windowsill. It can also take an object of the surface left behind — she jumped the fence. Each use centres on the body briefly leaving the ground by pushing off with the legs.
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