# plump

/ˈpɫəmp/ (US) · /plˈʌmp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plump
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. rounded and full

adjective · CEFR B2

having a full, rounded, and healthy shape.

For teachers: having a full, rounded shape; often used to describe body parts, fruit, or upholstery in a way that suggests health or comfort.

- The baker sold plump, golden loaves of bread that were still warm.
- The child had plump, rosy cheeks that glowed after he had been running around in the cold winter air.

### 2. to make full

verb · CEFR B2

to shake or pat something, like a pillow, so it becomes full and soft again.

For teachers: to make something full or rounded, typically by shaking or patting; frequently used with the particle 'up'.

- She plumped up the sofa cushions before the guests arrived.
- The hotel housekeeper took care to plump the down pillows every morning, ensuring a luxurious appearance for the returning guests.

### 3. to choose or support

verb · CEFR C1 · British English

to choose or support one person or thing instead of others.

For teachers: to decide in favour of or express strong support for one person or option; usually followed by the preposition 'for'.

- After looking at all the cars, he decided to plump for the red one.
- Despite the variety of candidates on the ballot, many local residents chose to plump for the independent representative.

### 4. to drop heavily

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to sit or fall down suddenly and heavily.

For teachers: to drop, fall, or sit down suddenly and heavily, often producing a dull sound.

- He was so tired that he plumped down into the armchair without taking off his coat.
- The exhausted hiker plumped his heavy rucksack onto the wooden porch and sighed with relief.

### 5. directly or suddenly

adverb · CEFR C2 · Literary

directly, suddenly, or without warning.

For teachers: in a direct, blunt, or sudden manner; often used to describe a physical collision or a direct statement.

- The two runners ran plump into each other at the corner of the track.
- The messenger arrived and fell plump into the middle of the conversation, breathless with the news from the front lines.

## Examples

- The baker sold plump, golden loaves of bread.
- She picked several plump, ripe tomatoes from the garden to make a fresh salad for lunch.
- The cushions were so plump and inviting that the guests immediately felt at home in the sunlit drawing room.

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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.