bumper

1 of 3

noun (1)

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

1

: a brimming cup or glass

2

: something unusually large

bumper

2 of 3

adjective

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

1

: unusually large

a bumper crop

2

: banner sense 2

bumper

3 of 3

noun (2)

bump·​er ˈbəm-pər 

1

: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)

specifically : a bar at either end of an automobile

2

: one that bumps

3

: a brief interval on radio or television filled with music, video shots, or voice-overs that marks a break between a program and a commercial

Synonyms

Adjective

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Noun (2)

• buffer
• cocoon
• cushion
• cushioning
• fender
• pad

Examples of bumper in a Sentence

Adjective

We had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year.

it's been a bumper year for movies aimed at intelligent adults

Noun (2)

cars have bumpers to protect them from damage in minor collisions

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Investigators at the scene found the housing to a side view mirror, a front driver’s side bumper component and a detached front driver’s side wheel trim. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2025

The 32-year-old driver was docked 60 championship points and 5 playoff points for a front bumper violation in Kansas. —Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Swift-Kelce-Chiefs-Cowboys certainly would be a bumper package. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 May 2025

The soundtrack features a bumper mix of rehearsal and concert recordings from their reunion tour, dialog snippets, and cast recordings from the Slanted! —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably from bump to bulge

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bumper

• bumper car
• bumper crop
• bumper sticker
• bumper-to-bumper

Rhymes for bumper

• dumper
• jumper
• pumper

Kids Definition

bumper

1 of 2 adjective

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

: unusually large or fine

a bumper crop

bumper

2 of 2 noun

bump·​er

ˈbəm-pər

: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)

especially : a bar at the front or back of a motor vehicle