Jump

/dʒʌmp/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
4 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To propel oneself off the ground using one's legs and feet.

/dʒʌmp/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To propel oneself off the ground with a sudden push.

The cat jumped onto the fence.

💡 Simply: To push off your feet and go up in the air, like when you're playing hopscotch or excited!

👶 For kids: To use your legs to push yourself up off the ground.

More Examples

2

She jumped for joy when she received the gift.

3

The frog jumped across the lily pads.

How It's Used

Sports

"The athlete jumped over the hurdle."

Everyday life

"He jumped for joy when he heard the good news."

2

An act of leaping or springing.

/dʒʌmp/

nounneutralBeginner
General

An act of jumping.

She made a graceful jump over the obstacle.

💡 Simply: The act of going up in the air using your legs!

👶 For kids: When you push yourself up in the air.

More Examples

2

The sudden jump startled the dog.

3

The children enjoyed the jumps on the trampoline.

How It's Used

Sports

"The high jump competition was intense."

Everyday life

"He took a running jump into the pool."

Tip:Think of a 'jump' in a video game or a physical activity.
3

To move quickly, especially upward or forward, or to increase suddenly.

/dʒʌmp/

verbneutralmedium
General

To move or increase suddenly and significantly.

The price of oil jumped overnight.

💡 Simply: To quickly go up, like when the price of your favorite candy suddenly costs more, or when you're really surprised!

👶 For kids: When something goes up really fast!

More Examples

2

My pulse jumped when I heard the news.

3

The sales figures jumped dramatically after the advertising campaign.

How It's Used

Business

"The stock price jumped after the announcement."

Everyday life

"Her heart jumped when she saw the surprise party."

Tip:Visualize a graph line suddenly going up – a price or a number jumping!
4

To become involved in something quickly, often eagerly.

/dʒʌmp/

verbneutralmedium
General

To start or become actively involved in something suddenly.

He jumped in the conversation.

💡 Simply: To quickly start doing something, like joining in a game or trying something new!

👶 For kids: To quickly join in or do something.

More Examples

2

She jumped at the chance to work abroad.

3

They jumped on the bandwagon when the trend became popular.

How It's Used

Social

"She jumped on the opportunity to travel."

Everyday life

"He jumped in the conversation."

Tip:Imagine diving into a pool – jumping into action!

Idioms & expressions

jump the gun

To do something too soon or prematurely.

"They jumped the gun and announced the merger before the contracts were signed."

jump to conclusions

To form an opinion too quickly and without sufficient information.

"Don't jump to conclusions before you hear all the facts!"

jump on the bandwagon

To join a popular trend or movement.

"Many companies jumped on the bandwagon of social media marketing."

From Middle English *jumpen*, from Old French *jumper* ('to leap, spring'), of uncertain origin; possibly related to Middle Dutch *jompen* or Old Norse *jumpa*.

The word 'jump' has been used in English since the 14th century, evolving from earlier forms. It originally referred to physical leaps, but gradually expanded to represent sudden movements or increases in various contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine a frog leaping – it's a jump!

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"to leap or spring"

jump ropejump for joyjump to conclusionsjump the gunjump in (a conversation/opportunity)jump up (prices/sales)jump out (at someone)

Common misspellings

jumbjummp

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written