ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bumper

n. · adj.
US //ˈbəmpɝ// UK //bˈʌmpɐ// bumper
  1. 1 car part (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the bar at the front or back of a car that protects it if it hits something.

    a horizontal bar fixed to the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce damage in a collision.

    Example

    He accidentally hit the wall and dented his front bumper.

    Example

    Modern bumpers are designed to deform upon impact, absorbing kinetic energy to protect the vehicle's structural integrity and its occupants.
  2. 2 TV/radio jingle (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    a very short piece of music or a video used to separate a show from the commercials.

    a brief segment of music or video used in broadcasting to transition between a programme and a commercial break.

    Example

    The radio station played a quick bumper before the news started.

    Example

    The producer requested a five-second musical bumper to maintain the show's branding during the transition to the local advertising slot.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 orchestral assistant (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    an extra musician in an orchestra who helps the main player during long or difficult parts.

    an additional musician, typically in the brass section, who assists the principal player by performing less demanding passages.

    Example

    The principal horn player used a bumper for the easier sections of the symphony.

    Example

    To preserve the principal's endurance for the final movement, the orchestra hired a bumper to cover the repetitive middle passages.
  2. 4 gamepad button (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    a button on the top edge of a video game controller.

    a shoulder button located on the top edge of a gamepad, typically operated with the index fingers.

    Example

    Press the right bumper to change your weapon in the game.

    Example

    The game's control scheme maps the sprint function to the left bumper, allowing for more fluid movement during combat.
    • shoulder button
  3. 5 unusually large (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    unusually large or successful, especially for a crop or a business year.

    exceptionally large, productive, or successful; frequently used in the collocation 'bumper crop'.

    Example

    The farmers are celebrating a bumper harvest after the perfect summer weather.

    Example

    The company reported bumper profits this quarter, exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts from industry analysts.

    Usage

    Almost always used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Origin

From bump + -er.

Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference