What does bump mean?
Bump serves as both a noun and a verb in everyday English. As a noun, it denotes a raised area or swelling on a surface or the body, such as a bump on one's head, or a minor collision producing a dull thudding contact. As a verb, it describes striking or knocking against something with a light, muffled impact, as when a car bumps along a rough road. The word carries a strongly physical, tactile quality and is largely neutral in tone, though several of its idiomatic uses are informal: 'bumping into' someone suggests an accidental meeting, 'bumping up' a figure implies increasing it, and being 'bumped' from a flight means losing one's seat. Its derivatives include 'bumpy', describing uneven surfaces, and 'bumper', which originally referred to a part of a vehicle designed to absorb impacts. Echoic in origin, bump vividly reproduces the very sounds and sensations it names.
A raised area or swelling on a surface or on the body; also a light blow or collision.
"There was a noticeable bump in the road that rattled the whole bus."
To strike or knock against something with a dull impact; informally, to increase, displace, or meet by chance.
"The cart bumped against the doorframe as she pushed it through."
Regular plural, used for multiple raised areas, swellings, or collisions.
"Speed bumps were installed along the residential street."
The word 'bump' first appeared in English in the early seventeenth century — and its echoic origin means it has been imitating the sound of collisions for four hundred years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bump
Bump entered English in the early seventeenth century, most likely as an echoic formation imitating the sound of a heavy blow or collision. It may be related in sound-symbolic character to words like 'thump'. No classical Latin or Greek root underlies it; instead, it belongs to a family of native-sounding impact words whose form mimics meaning. Its derivatives, such as 'bumper' and 'bumpy', developed naturally from the core sense of a blow or raised swelling.
Related word forms
How bump is actually used
'Bump' is common in both formal and informal registers. The phrasal uses 'bump into' (meet by chance) and 'bump up' (increase) are distinctly informal. In American English, 'bump' can also mean removing someone from a flight due to overbooking.
Easily confused with bump
Thump implies a heavier, more forceful blow, while bump usually refers to a lighter knock or a raised swelling.