# bump /ˈbəmp/ (US) · /bˈʌmp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bump Updated: 2026-06-20 ## Senses ### 1. to hit by accident verb · CEFR A2 to hit something or someone by accident while you are moving. For teachers: to strike or collide with something, typically with a light or jolting impact. - I accidentally bumped into the table and spilled my coffee. - The cyclist bumped into the curb, losing his balance and narrowly avoiding a collision with a parked car. ### 2. to remove from a flight/list verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to remove someone from a flight or a seat because it is overbooked. For teachers: to displace a passenger or participant from a scheduled service, usually due to overbooking or seniority protocols. - The airline bumped us to a later flight because the plane was full. - Several passengers were bumped from the overbooked flight, though the airline offered significant travel vouchers as compensation. ### 3. to increase or move up verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to move something to a higher level or a later time. For teachers: to increase a quantity or shift a scheduled event to a different position. - They decided to bump the meeting up to 9:00 AM. - The marketing team managed to bump the sales figures by ten percent after the social media campaign went viral. ### 4. internet forum verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to post a comment on a website just to move the topic to the top of the list. For teachers: to post a brief response in an online thread to ensure it remains visible at the top of the forum index. - I'll bump this thread so more people can see your question. - Users are discouraged from bumping old threads unless they have significant new information to contribute to the discussion. ### 5. a raised area noun · CEFR B1 a small raised part on a flat surface. For teachers: a protuberance or unevenness on an otherwise level surface. - The car jolted when it went over a bump in the road. - The old wooden floor was full of small bumps and imperfections that made it difficult to slide the furniture into place. ### 6. swelling on skin noun · CEFR B1 a small, hard area on your skin, often from a minor injury. For teachers: a localized swelling on the body, typically resulting from a minor blow or an insect bite. - He got a big bump on his head after hitting the shelf. - The child developed a small red bump on her arm, which the doctor identified as a harmless reaction to a mosquito bite. ### 7. pregnancy noun · CEFR B2 · Informal the rounded stomach of a pregnant woman. For teachers: the visible protrusion of the abdomen during pregnancy. - She wore a loose dress to hide her growing baby bump. - The actress proudly displayed her pregnancy bump on the red carpet, ending months of media speculation. ### 8. minor problem noun · CEFR B2 · Informal a small problem that slows you down but does not stop you. For teachers: a minor setback or obstacle that temporarily hinders progress. - We hit a few bumps in the project, but we finished on time. - Despite a few initial bumps in the merger process, both companies are now operating as a single, cohesive unit. ### 9. drug dose noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar a small amount of a drug that someone breathes in through their nose. For teachers: a small quantity of a powdered illicit substance intended for insufflation. - The police found evidence that people were taking bumps in the bathroom. - The witness claimed to have seen the defendant sharing a bump of cocaine in the back of the nightclub. Teaching tip: This sense is highly informal and associated with illegal activity; use with extreme caution. ## Examples - I have a small bump on my head from the door. - The car jolted as it hit a large bump in the middle of the gravel road. - While the initial impact left only a minor bump, the structural integrity of the fuselage required a thorough inspection to ensure no internal hairline fractures had occurred. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.