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

Strawberry skin isn’t a diagnosable skin issue, but rather a nickname for skin that has a bumpy texture with small dark spots resembling the seeds on a strawberry. — Mary Honkus, Glamour, 18 Aug. 2026

No doubt, Sumrall’s debut will be bumpy at times (see our game-by-game season preview). — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

McDonald’s is chasing the same value-conscious customer, but its efforts have been bumpier. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

So, what was once a pretty harsh ride that tended to skip sideways in bumpy corners, bludgeon yours and your passenger’s spine and kidneys, and remind you what terror and despair really are, is now gone. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 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