Bumpy

/ˈbʌmpi/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonTexture
1 meaning1 question

Definitions

1

Having a surface that is not smooth or even; characterized by many small raised areas.

/ˈbʌmpi/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Texture

Having an uneven surface

The ride was bumpy due to the rough terrain.

💡 Simply: Uneven; not smooth.

More Examples

2

The cake had a bumpy frosting.

How It's Used

Driving

"The road was bumpy, making the drive uncomfortable."

Physical Description

"Her skin had a bumpy texture."

From Middle English *bumpy, from Old English *bump, a blow or swelling. The sense of unevenness developed later.

While the word has ancient roots, its current meaning related to uneven surfaces became prominent in the 18th century.

Memory tip

Think of a bumpy road – full of bumps!

Word Origin

Original meaning

"blow or swelling"

bumpy roadbumpy ridebumpy texture

Common misspellings

bumpyybumpey

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written