jumpy

adjective

ˈjəm-pē 

jumpier; jumpiest

1

: nervous, jittery

2

: characterized by jumps or sudden variations

jumpiness noun

Synonyms of jumpy

• excitable
• nervous
• unstable

Examples of jumpy in a Sentence

trying to calm jumpy passengers

flight attendants had to calm jumpy passengers after the plane hit unexpected turbulence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beat writing—its jumpy jazz rhythms light and alliterative, so unlike Faulkner’s sonorous throat clearings—did not jive with McCarthy’s other influences. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Levee, in this rendition, is the living embodiment of a jiving jazz cat who sees a future of faster, jumpier arrangements even for Ma Rainey’s dour if saucy blues. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026

The hair metal craze was off to a very jumpy and problematic start. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Oil prices are again jumpy, Japan might be selling Treasuries to defend the yen and, at least psychologically, global fiscal imbalances encroach. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for jumpy

• bumpy
• dumpy
• grumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy

Kids Definition

jumpy

adjective

ˈjəm-pē 

jumpier; jumpiest

: nervous sense 2a, jittery

after a long restless night, the soldiers were jumpy

jumpiness noun