jump

¹jump

verb \ˈjəmp\

Definition of JUMP

intransitive verb

1

a : to spring into the air : leap; especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs b : to move suddenly or involuntarily : start c : to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece d : to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism e : to start out or forward : begin —usually used with off <jump off to a big lead> f : to move energetically : hustle g : to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another <jump to a subroutine>

2

: coincide, agree

3

a : to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly <jumped from job to job> b : to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract c : to rise suddenly in rank or status d : to undergo a sudden sharp change in value <prices jumped> e : to make a jump in bridge f : to make a hurried judgment <jump to conclusions> g : to show eagerness <jumped at the chance> h : to enter eagerly <jump on the bandwagon>

4

: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack <jumped on him for his criticism>

5

: to bustle with activity <the bar was jumping with young people>

transitive verb

1

a : to leap over <jump a hurdle> b : to move over (a piece) in a board game c : to act, move, or begin before (as a signal) <jump the green light> d : to leap aboard <jump a freight>

2

obsolete : risk, hazard

3

a : to escape from : avoid b : to leave hastily or in violation of contract <jump town without paying their bills — Hamilton Basso> c : to depart from (a normal course) <jump the track>

4

a : to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on b : to occupy illegally <jump a mining claim>

5

a (1) : to cause to leap (2) : to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush b : to elevate in rank or status c : to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank d : to increase suddenly and sharply

— jump bail

: to abscond after being released from prison on bail

— jump ship

1

: to leave the company of a ship without authority

2

: to desert a cause or party especially abruptly : defect

— jump the gun

1

: to start in a race before the starting signal

2

: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time

— jump the queue

British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line

— jump the shark

of a TV series : to sustain an irreparable decline in popularity following an absurd or incongruous event in the story line

Examples of JUMP

1. The circus lion jumped through the hoop.
2. The fans were jumping up and down with excitement.
3. Everyone was jumping for joy when we found out that we had won an award.
4. The cat jumped down off the table.
5. The runner jumped a hurdle.
6. The car jumped the curb.
7. Everyone jumped into the pool.
8. He jumped into his truck and drove away.
9. She jumped when she heard a loud knock late at night.
10. She jumped to an early lead in the race.

Origin of JUMP

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

First Known Use: 1530

Related to JUMP

Synonyms: bound, hop, leap, spring, vault

Antonyms: crawl, creep, poke

Related Words: bounce, hurdle, leapfrog, lope, skip; buck; caper, capriole, cavort, frolic, gambol, romp; attack, pounce; shoot, skyrocket

Near Antonyms: dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, poke, tarry; amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll; decelerate, slow (down or up)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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