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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- lumpier
- Superlative
- lumpiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mashed potatoes turned out _____ because he forgot to mash them properly.
Etymology
From lump + the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lumpy
See all rhymes for lumpy →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.
