1
: a brimming cup or glass
2
: something unusually large
1
: unusually large
a bumper crop
2
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)
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The teal and silver stroller looked like a normal carrier at the front, but the back sported taillights and a bumper, taking inspiration from a vintage car.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The Hyundai passenger car had extensive fire damage to the front bumper and engine compartment.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 2 Apr. 2024
The case itself is relatively non-descript, with a black plastic bumper around the side and what looks to be a clear TPU back panel.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
According to charging documents, a blood spot the size of a basketball was discovered in the Challenger's trunk, and blood was also found on the car's rear bumper.
—Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024
In London, homegrown British brand Burberry, which also warned of lower profits in January, sank as much as 6%
Following a bumper few years in the wake of the pandemic, luxury goods companies are now contending with weaker demand in one of their biggest markets: China.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Melissa presented the pièce de résistance, sideswiping a wall in a downtown parking garage after work, smashing the bumper and a front fender.
—Maria Garriott, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024
The new radiator grille features four horizontal louvres, the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned, the A-pillar has new cladding, and the front of the roof is now outfitted with a lip spoiler.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Lately, though, that cultural pessimism seems to have come closer to home: fear of neighbors with a different flag in their apartment windows, anger at other parents in the school pickup line with the wrong stickers on their bumpers, even disdain for close relatives at the Thanksgiving table.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The teal and silver stroller looked like a normal carrier at the front, but the back sported taillights and a bumper, taking inspiration from a vintage car.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The Hyundai passenger car had extensive fire damage to the front bumper and engine compartment.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 2 Apr. 2024
The case itself is relatively non-descript, with a black plastic bumper around the side and what looks to be a clear TPU back panel.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
According to charging documents, a blood spot the size of a basketball was discovered in the Challenger's trunk, and blood was also found on the car's rear bumper.
—Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024
In London, homegrown British brand Burberry, which also warned of lower profits in January, sank as much as 6%
Following a bumper few years in the wake of the pandemic, luxury goods companies are now contending with weaker demand in one of their biggest markets: China.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Melissa presented the pièce de résistance, sideswiping a wall in a downtown parking garage after work, smashing the bumper and a front fender.
—Maria Garriott, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024
The new radiator grille features four horizontal louvres, the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned, the A-pillar has new cladding, and the front of the roof is now outfitted with a lip spoiler.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bumper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to bumper
Dictionary Entries Near bumper
Cite this Entry
“Bumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumper. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share