What does lump mean?
A lump is a compact piece or mass of a substance, such as a lump of butter, dough, or coal. The word can also refer to a group of separate things treated as one unit, and in financial contexts a lump sum is a single payment rather than several installments. As a verb, to lump means to combine things together, sometimes regardless of their differences: one might lump a variety of vegetables into a single dish or lump several reports under one heading. The word is useful because it appears in both literal descriptions of physical objects and figurative expressions about money, emotion, and organization. Its slightly blunt, conversational tone often suggests informality, but the expression is entirely standard in British and American English.
A small, compact mass of a material.
"He dropped a lump of sugar into his tea."
The phrase lump sum is especially common and refers to one payment or amount.
A group of separate things regarded or treated as a single unit.
"The collection was sold as one lump sum rather than item by item."
This sense is often figurative and can be mildly informal.
To combine separate items into a single group, often without making fine distinctions between them.
"The report lumps several different issues together."
Often informal or mildly critical, especially when the grouping hides important differences.
To form into a compact mass or become gathered into lumps.
"The cream will lump if it is overheated."
Used especially in cooking, textiles, or descriptions of materials.
The plural is used for separate masses, groups, or payments; in financial contexts, lumps may refer to installments received or paid separately.
"The contractor received two lumps of money during the year."
A lump in your throat is the physical feeling that words are too big to say, while a lump sum turns a group of payments into one satisfyingly large amount.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lump come from?
The English word has Middle English origins and belongs to the Germanic family of languages. Its root is associated with a lump or compact mass, and related Germanic forms show the same broad semantic history. Modern English developed several derivatives from this root, including lumpy and lumpish, while the verb sense of combining separate things developed from the idea of bringing material together into one mass.
Related word forms
How lump is actually used
In British and American English, a lump can be a small mass, a group, or an amount paid at once. The phrase lump sum is common in financial and legal contexts, while lump together is often informal and can suggest an unsystematic combination.
Easily confused with lump
A lump is a compact mass or group, whereas lumber is wood used for building or manufacturing.
A lump is a solid mass, while a limp is a way of walking in which one cannot move a limb normally.