clump

1 of 3

noun

ˈkləmp 

1

: a group of things clustered together

a clump of bushes

2

: a compact mass

3

: a heavy tramping sound

clumpy

ˈkləm-pē 

adjective

clump

2 of 3

verb

clumped; clumping; clumps

intransitive verb

1

: to walk or move clumsily and noisily

2

: to form clumps

transitive verb

: to arrange in or cause to form clumps

clumpy

3 of 3

adjective

ˈkləm-pē 

-er/-est

: composed of clumps : abounding in clumps : growing in clumps

Synonyms of clump

Noun

• cluster
• batch
• bunch
• collection
• array
• grouping
• group
• assemblage

Verb

• shuffle
• stomp
• stumble
• lump
• slough

Examples of clump in a Sentence

Noun

There is a clump of bushes at the edge of the field.

I could hear the clump of his footsteps as he came down the stairs.

Verb

The virus clumps the cells together.

a child clumping around the house in her father's oversized boots

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

McCary also points out that shorter grass clippings are also less likely to form large or heavy clumps that might smother patches of lawn. — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 21 June 2026

Plant them in clumps behind or at the edges of a group of dahlias for a stunning early autumn display. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026

Verb

When the lawn is wet, clippings will clump up and mat down on the grass, leading to unhealthy conditions over time. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026

Using holographic imaging technology, scientists will also investigate particle aggregation to determine how the lake’s physical dynamics cause particles to clump together and sink, affecting water clarity. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

probably from Low German klump

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1665, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for clump

• bump
• chump
• crump
• dump
• gump
• hump
• jump
• lump
• plump
• pump
• rump
• slump

Kids Definition

clump

1 of 2 noun

ˈkləmp 

1

: a group of things clustered together

a clump of bushes

2

: a cluster or lump of something

3

: a heavy tramping sound

clumpy

ˈkləm-pē 

adjective

clump

2 of 2 verb

1

: to walk or move clumsily and noisily

2

: to form or cause to form clumps

Medical Definition

clump

1 of 2 noun

ˈkləmp 

: a clustered mass of particles (as bacteria or blood cells) compare agglutination

clump

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to form clumps

transitive verb

: to arrange in or cause to form clumps

the serum clumps the bacteria