26984 words

bumps

14 definitions • 22 examples
1
to hit something with force:

Examples:

bump into She bumped into his tray, knocking the food onto his lap.
2
to hurt part of your body by hitting it against something hard:

Examples:

I bumped my head on the shelf as I stood up.
3
to travel, usually in a vehicle, in an uncomfortable way because the surface you are moving over is rough:

Examples:

bump along We bumped along the dirt road in our car, holding on to our seats.
The bottom of the boat was bumping over a coral reef.
4
to remove someone or something from a particular position, sometimes to a different one:

Examples:

He had been playing badly and was bumped from the team.
These films may be well loved, but they're never going to bump "Casablanca" or "Citizen Kane" off the classic film lists.
The 18-year-old has been bumping other players down the rankings ever since he started in competitive tennis.
5
to move a passenger to a different flight or a different type of seat from the one they have arranged:

Examples:

If you are bumped from an oversold flight you are entitled to compensation.
They asked if any passengers were willing to be bumped.
bump someone up If you're lucky, you might get bumped up to business class.
6
to add something to an old thread (= a series of messages and replies) on an online message board so that it moves up to the top, and people notice it and start replying to it again:

Examples:

I'm bumping this old thread because I have a few relevant recommendations.
I'm glad you bumped this thread back up because I hadn't seen it and I'm going through the exact same thing.
7
to increase something:

Examples:

Minimum wage in the state was bumped 55 cents an hour to $5.85.
8
a round, raised area on a surface or on the body:

Examples:

Her bicycle hit a bump in the road and threw her off.
Enrique had a nasty bump on his head from when he fell down.
9
the sound of something falling to the ground:

Examples:

We heard a bump from the next room.
10
an accident involving a car, especially one that is not serious:

Examples:

A van drove into their car but luckily it was just a bump.
11
an increase in something:

Examples:

There had been a bump in the number of students with learning disorders.
12
a raised area on a surface:

Examples:

The mosquito bites left bumps on her face.
13
to hit against something or someone, esp. by accident:

Examples:

[ T ] The child fell and bumped his head.
14
to move someone or something from a place, rank, or job:

Examples:

I knew if they got someone more qualified, I’d be bumped.

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