bumpy

adjective \ ˈbəm-pē \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of bumpy

bumpier; bumpiest

1 : having or covered with bumps

2 a : marked by bumps or jolts

b : marked by or full of difficulties

—

bumpily

play \-pə-lē\ adverb

—

bumpiness

play \-pē-nəs\ noun

See bumpy defined for English-language learners

See bumpy defined for kids

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 of bumpy from the Web

China’s coming few quarters are likely to be bumpier, however.

— The Economist, "After a good run of growth, China’s economy braces for bumps," 17 Apr. 2018
But a bumpy ride, Swaney adds, doesn't mean Main Street investors should abandon their long-term financial plans.

— adam shell, USA TODAY, "Stock market 2018: Expect Dow volatility as trade war, Trump talk spark fear," 8 Apr. 2018
Along with incisive readings of their most emblematic work, Ms. Dean skillfully encapsulates each of these women’s life stories, focusing on their mostly roundabout and bumpy paths to a public career.

— maureen corrigan, WSJ, "‘Sharp’ Review: The Womanly Art of Having an Opinion," 6 Apr. 2018
From its highest pitch near a pointy stone chimney, the roof spills all the way down stucco walls that are as bumpy and character-filled as anything Walt Disney drew.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Snow White's cottage is still for sale in Olalla, outside of Seattle (photos)," 3 Apr. 2018
Those projects created a lot of trenches, making sections of the road surface bumpy and difficult to travel at times, Mann said.

— sue kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio 4 road work brings travel challenges back to Fairfield," 14 Mar. 2018
However, Bird has had something of a bumpy start, with the city of Santa Monica cracking down on the local startup last month following a number of accidents, including a severe head injury and a broken arm.

— joshua emerson smith, latimes.com, "Electric scooter rental apps are a new trend — but many see a road hazard," 7 Mar. 2018
The evening gets off to a bumpy start because Kourtney, who remains on her phone, is keeping her sisters waiting.

— mariah smith, The Cut, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," 5 Mar. 2018
The Week After Your Period After a bumpy ride (literally!), your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels have gone back to normal — and so will your skin.

— jillian ruffo, Seventeen, "Why Your Period Makes You Break Out and How to Deal," 17 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bumpy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bumpy

1865

bumpy Synonyms

BUMPY Defined for English Language Learners

bumpy

adjective

Definition of bumpy for English Language Learners

of a surface : having or covered with bumps
: having sudden up and down movements
: having a lot of problems

BUMPY Defined for Kids

bumpy

adjective \ ˈbəm-pē \

Definition of bumpy for Students

bumpier; bumpiest

1 : having or covered with bumps

a bumpy road

bumpy skin

2 : having sudden up-and-down movements

a bumpy ride

Learn More about bumpy

See words that rhyme with bumpy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bumpy Spanish Central: Translation of bumpy Nglish: Translation of bumpy for Spanish speakers

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bumpy

Definition of bumpy

bumpily

bumpiness

Examples of bumpy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bumpy from the Web

First Known Use of bumpy

bumpy Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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BUMPY Defined for English Language Learners

bumpy

Definition of bumpy for English Language Learners

BUMPY Defined for Kids

bumpy

Definition of bumpy for Students

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