What does jumper mean?
A jumper is most familiarly a knitted pullover, especially in British English, where it is a standard everyday word for a warm sweater. In North American English, sweater is the more common general term, although jumper can refer to certain sleeveless dresses or garments worn over blouses. The word also names a person who jumps, including competitors in track-and-field and long-jump events. In technical contexts, a jumper is a short wire, strap, or connector used to join points in a circuit or temporarily bypass a component. As a verb, jumper is uncommon and means to make such an electrical connection. Although its meaning varies by region and context, jumper is especially useful for recognizing the same basic idea across everyday clothing, sport, and technology: something that jumps or provides a jumping connection.
A knitted pullover with sleeves, worn over the upper body; also a person or device that jumps, and a short connector or strap used in electrical, nautical, or other technical contexts.
"The children wore red wool jumpers to the school concert."
The pullover sense is especially common in British English. The other senses depend more heavily on context and may be regional or technical.
To connect two points in an electrical circuit with a jumper or temporary bypass.
"The technician jumpered the switch to restore power temporarily."
This is a specialized and relatively uncommon verb, chiefly used in electrical and technical work.
The plural is used for the garment, for people or devices that jump, and for individual electrical jumpers.
"These wool jumpers are warm enough for the winter."
One word can describe a sweater, a track-and-field competitor, and the tiny wire that lets an electronic circuit take a shortcut.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jumper come from?
The word derives from the older English verb jump, meaning to spring or move suddenly into the air. Adding the suffix -er first produced the sense of a person who jumps and later names for objects associated with jumping. The clothing sense developed separately from the sporting sense, while the electrical sense reflects a connection that allows current to jump or take a shortcut. Related words include jump, jumpy, and jumping.
Related word forms
How jumper is actually used
In British English, jumper commonly means a knitted pullover; in North American English, sweater is more usual for that garment, though jumper can also denote a sleeveless dress worn over a blouse. The electrical and mechanical senses are more specialized, and the verb sense is uncommon outside technical contexts.