jump

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.

“Jump” is pronounced juhmp (/d͡ʒʌmp/ in IPA).

Here is “jump” used in a sentence: “The kids jumped over the puddles on their way to school.”

Words with a similar meaning to “jump” include assail, jump someone's bones, rabbit and take off.

Depending on how it is used, “jump” can be a verb and a noun.

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.".

“Jump” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.