bumpy

adjective

ˈbəm-pē 

bumpier; bumpiest

1

: having or covered with bumps

2

a

: marked by bumps or jolts

b

: marked by or full of difficulties

bumpily

ˈbəm-pə-lē 

adverb

bumpiness

ˈbəm-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of bumpy

• rough
• uneven

Examples of bumpy in a Sentence

The road is very bumpy.

the bumpy skin of a cucumber

The flight was very bumpy.

The road was rough so we had a bumpy ride.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hopefully this bumpy season — his first as a Dodger to end short of the championship following the 2024 and 2025 title runs — will make Ohtani better. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge The smart display category has a bumpy history. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026

The early years were bumpy and stressful, and sales were slim. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026

Best Asian pop performance, which had a surprisingly bumpy rollout, has 116. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bumpy

• dumpy
• grumpy
• jumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy

Kids Definition

bumpy

adjective

ˈbəm-pē 

bumpier; bumpiest

: marked by bumps or bumping

a bumpy ride

bumpy skin

bumpily

-pə-lē 

adverb

bumpiness

-pē-nəs 

noun