ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bump

v. · n.
US //ˈbəmp// UK //bˈʌmp// bump
  1. 1 to hit by accident (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to hit something or someone by accident while you are moving.

    to strike or collide with something, typically with a light or jolting impact.

    Example

    I accidentally bumped into the table and spilled my coffee.

    Example

    The cyclist bumped into the curb, losing his balance and narrowly avoiding a collision with a parked car.
    Pitfall
    I bumped with the wall.
    I bumped into the wall.

    Use the preposition 'into' after 'bump' when you hit an object or person.

  2. 2 to remove from a flight/list (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to remove someone from a flight or a seat because it is overbooked.

    to displace a passenger or participant from a scheduled service, usually due to overbooking or seniority protocols.

    Example

    The airline bumped us to a later flight because the plane was full.

    Example

    Several passengers were bumped from the overbooked flight, though the airline offered significant travel vouchers as compensation.
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  1. 3 to increase or move up (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to move something to a higher level or a later time.

    to increase a quantity or shift a scheduled event to a different position.

    Example

    They decided to bump the meeting up to 9:00 AM.

    Example

    The marketing team managed to bump the sales figures by ten percent after the social media campaign went viral.
  2. 4 internet forum (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Computing

    to post a comment on a website just to move the topic to the top of the list.

    to post a brief response in an online thread to ensure it remains visible at the top of the forum index.

    Example

    I'll bump this thread so more people can see your question.

    Example

    Users are discouraged from bumping old threads unless they have significant new information to contribute to the discussion.
  3. 5 a raised area (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small raised part on a flat surface.

    a protuberance or unevenness on an otherwise level surface.

    Example

    The car jolted when it went over a bump in the road.

    Example

    The old wooden floor was full of small bumps and imperfections that made it difficult to slide the furniture into place.
  4. 6 swelling on skin (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    a small, hard area on your skin, often from a minor injury.

    a localized swelling on the body, typically resulting from a minor blow or an insect bite.

    Example

    He got a big bump on his head after hitting the shelf.

    Example

    The child developed a small red bump on her arm, which the doctor identified as a harmless reaction to a mosquito bite.
  5. 7 pregnancy (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    the rounded stomach of a pregnant woman.

    the visible protrusion of the abdomen during pregnancy.

    Example

    She wore a loose dress to hide her growing baby bump.

    Example

    The actress proudly displayed her pregnancy bump on the red carpet, ending months of media speculation.
    • baby bump
  6. 8 minor problem (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a small problem that slows you down but does not stop you.

    a minor setback or obstacle that temporarily hinders progress.

    Example

    We hit a few bumps in the project, but we finished on time.

    Example

    Despite a few initial bumps in the merger process, both companies are now operating as a single, cohesive unit.
  7. 9 drug dose (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

    a small amount of a drug that someone breathes in through their nose.

    a small quantity of a powdered illicit substance intended for insufflation.

    Example

    The police found evidence that people were taking bumps in the bathroom.

    Example

    The witness claimed to have seen the defendant sharing a bump of cocaine in the back of the nightclub.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is highly informal and associated with illegal activity; use with extreme caution.
Etymology 1

From Early Modern English bump (“a shock, blow from a collision”), probably of North Germanic origin; compare Danish bump (“a thump”), Danish bumpe (“to thump”), Old Danish bumpe (“to strike with a clenched fist”), all probably of imitative origin. Apparently related to Middle English bumben, bummen (“to make a hollow noise”), Dutch bommen (“to hum, buzz”), German Low German bumsen (“to bump, push”), German bummen (“to hum, buzz”), Icelandic bumba (“drum”). More at bum, bumble. Compare also bomb.

Etymology 2

From Early Modern English; onomatopoeic.

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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