plump
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having a full, rounded, and healthy shape.
adj.having a full, rounded shape; often used to describe body parts, fruit, or upholstery in a way that suggests health or comfort.
Simple“The baker sold plump, golden loaves of bread that were still warm.”
In context“The child had plump, rosy cheeks that glowed after he had been running around in the cold winter air.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to shake or pat something, like a pillow, so it becomes full and soft again.
v.to make something full or rounded, typically by shaking or patting; frequently used with the particle 'up'.
Simple“She plumped up the sofa cushions before the guests arrived.”
In context“The hotel housekeeper took care to plump the down pillows every morning, ensuring a luxurious appearance for the returning guests.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to choose or support one person or thing instead of others.
v.to decide in favour of or express strong support for one person or option; usually followed by the preposition 'for'.
Simple“After looking at all the cars, he decided to plump for the red one.”
In context“Despite the variety of candidates on the ballot, many local residents chose to plump for the independent representative.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to sit or fall down suddenly and heavily.
v.to drop, fall, or sit down suddenly and heavily, often producing a dull sound.
Simple“He was so tired that he plumped down into the armchair without taking off his coat.”
In context“The exhausted hiker plumped his heavy rucksack onto the wooden porch and sighed with relief.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
adv.directly, suddenly, or without warning.
adv.in a direct, blunt, or sudden manner; often used to describe a physical collision or a direct statement.
Simple“The two runners ran plump into each other at the corner of the track.”
In context“The messenger arrived and fell plump into the middle of the conversation, breathless with the news from the front lines.”
Antonyms
“His work is soft focus and gentle, his figures are plump and joyful, it’s all happy haze and night-time revelry.”
From Middle English plump, plompe, a borrowing from Middle Dutch plomp or Middle Low German plump. Cognate with Saterland Frisian plump (“plump”).
From Middle English plumpen, akin to Middle Dutch plompen, Middle Low German plumpen, German plumpsen.
From Middle English plump.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.