bumper
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.the bar at the front or back of a car that protects it if it hits something.
n.a horizontal bar fixed to the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce damage in a collision.
Simple“He accidentally hit the wall and dented his front bumper.”
In context“Modern bumpers are designed to deform upon impact, absorbing kinetic energy to protect the vehicle's structural integrity and its occupants.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a very short piece of music or a video used to separate a show from the commercials.
n.a brief segment of music or video used in broadcasting to transition between a programme and a commercial break.
Simple“The radio station played a quick bumper before the news started.”
In context“The producer requested a five-second musical bumper to maintain the show's branding during the transition to the local advertising slot.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.an extra musician in an orchestra who helps the main player during long or difficult parts.
n.an additional musician, typically in the brass section, who assists the principal player by performing less demanding passages.
Simple“The principal horn player used a bumper for the easier sections of the symphony.”
In context“To preserve the principal's endurance for the final movement, the orchestra hired a bumper to cover the repetitive middle passages.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a button on the top edge of a video game controller.
n.a shoulder button located on the top edge of a gamepad, typically operated with the index fingers.
Simple“Press the right bumper to change your weapon in the game.”
In context“The game's control scheme maps the sprint function to the left bumper, allowing for more fluid movement during combat.”
Synonymsshoulder button - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.unusually large or successful, especially for a crop or a business year.
adj.exceptionally large, productive, or successful; frequently used in the collocation 'bumper crop'.
Simple“The farmers are celebrating a bumper harvest after the perfect summer weather.”
In context“The company reported bumper profits this quarter, exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts from industry analysts.”
UsageAlmost always used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Usage bumper crop
From bump + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.