Bump
/bʌmp/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meanings
Question
Definitions
3 meanings1
A protuberance or swelling on a surface.
/bʌmp/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A small, raised area on a surface.
I hit a bump while driving.
💡 Simply: A small rise or lump.
More Examples
2
There's a bump on my head.
How It's Used
General
"There was a bump in the road."
2
To strike or collide with something.
/bʌmp/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To strike against something forcefully.
I accidentally bumped my elbow.
💡 Simply: To hit something.
More Examples
2
The car bumped against the wall.
How It's Used
General
"He bumped into the table."
Tip:Imagine bumping into someone accidentally.
3
To increase or raise something.
/bʌmp/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
They bumped up the salary.
💡 Simply: To make something bigger or higher.
More Examples
2
Let's bump the deadline.
How It's Used
Economics
"They bumped up the prices."
Tip:Think of bumping up the volume.
Idioms & expressions
bump into someone
To meet someone unexpectedly.
"I bumped into an old friend at the mall."
From Middle English *bompe, of imitative origin.
The word has a long history, primarily focused on the physical act of bumping.
Memory tip
Think of a bumpy road.
Practice
bumbbummp
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written