adj

lumpy

LUHM-pee

Lumpy (adj) means Full of lumps; not smooth or even. Example: “The mashed potatoes turned out lumpy because he forgot to mash them properly.”

adj

Full of lumps; not smooth or even.

"The mashed potatoes turned out lumpy because he forgot to mash them properly."

"She slept badly on the old, lumpy mattress."

Of water: choppy, covered in small rough waves.

"The sea got lumpy as the wind picked up, so they turned the boat back."

How to use lumpy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot smooth — full of bumps or lumps, whether that's gravy, a mattress, or choppy water.

Common pairings

lumpy gravy lumpy mattress lumpy sea

Word forms

lumpier comparative, lumpiest superlative

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The mashed potatoes turned out _____ because he forgot to mash them properly.

Etymology

From lump + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Rhymes for lumpy

jumpy bumpy dumpy grumpy stumpy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lumpy” mean?

The word “lumpy” means full of lumps; not smooth or even. In plain terms, not smooth — full of bumps or lumps, whether that's gravy, a mattress, or choppy water.

How do you pronounce “lumpy”?

“Lumpy” is pronounced LUHM-pee (/ˈlʌmpi/ in IPA).

How do you use “lumpy” in a sentence?

Here is “lumpy” used in a sentence: “The mashed potatoes turned out lumpy because he forgot to mash them properly.”

What part of speech is “lumpy”?

“Lumpy” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “lumpy” have?

“Lumpy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of lumps; not smooth or even.