bump

A small raised or swollen area on your skin or body.

• I have a bump on my head.
• Red bumps appeared on her arms after the walk.
• The bump on his forehead slowly went down.

Similar words: lump, swelling

Common phrases: bump on your head, a red bump, a small bump, an itchy bump

A small hit when one thing knocks against another.

• The car stopped with a bump.
• I felt a slight bump as the boat reached shore.
• A gentle bump against the table woke the cat.

Similar words: knock, jolt, impact

Common phrases: a slight bump, a gentle bump, with a bump, a little bump

A small raised part on a surface that is otherwise flat or smooth.

• There is a bump in the road.
• The paint dried with small bumps on its surface.
• Slow down before you reach the speed bump.

Similar words: lump, bulge

Opposites: dent, dip

Common phrases: a speed bump, bump in the road, bump on something, a small bump

A small hit against someone or something, often by accident.

• I felt a bump against my leg.
• The two cars had a small bump.
• A sudden bump woke her during the journey.

Similar words: knock, hit, jolt

Common phrases: a slight bump, a gentle bump, bump on something

A low sound made when something hits another thing.

• I heard a bump upstairs.
• A loud bump came from behind the door.
• The bumps in the attic kept us awake.

Similar words: thump, knock, thud

Common phrases: a loud bump, hear a bump, a sudden bump, a dull bump

A quiet, dull sound, often made when something hits another thing.

• I heard a bump upstairs.
• There were soft bumps behind the wall.
• A dull bump came from the empty room.

Similar words: thud, knock

Common phrases: a dull bump, a faint bump, bumps at night

To hit someone or something lightly, usually by accident.

• I bumped my head.
• He bumped the table and spilled his drink.
• Did you bump your elbow on the door?

How to use it: bump something on something (I bumped my knee on the desk.); bump into someone/something (She bumped into a chair in the dark.)

Similar words: knock, hit

Common phrases: bump your head, bump into something, bump someone lightly

To hit another thing gently, often making a small sound.

• The door bumped against the wall.
• Our boats were bumping gently together.
• Something kept bumping against the window in the wind.

How to use it: bump against something (The loose shutter bumped against the wall.)

Similar words: knock, tap

Common phrases: bump against something, bump gently, bump into something