stump

The short part left after most of a tree, limb, or similar thing has been cut off.

• He sat on a tree stump.
• We removed three stumps from the garden.
• The doctor examined the stump of his injured leg.

How to use it: stump of something (Only the stump of the old tree remained.)

Similar words: stub

Common phrases: tree stump, stump of something, remove a stump

A place or occasion for giving political speeches to voters.

• The candidate was back on the stump.
• His stump speech focused on local jobs.
• She took the stump to defend her party’s plans.

How to use it: on the stump (She spent the summer on the stump.)

Similar words: campaign platform

Common phrases: on the stump, take the stump, stump speech

A tightly rolled paper tool used to rub and soften pencil or charcoal marks.

• Blend the shading with a stump.
• The artist rubbed the charcoal with a paper stump.
• These stumps help soften pencil marks.

Similar words: blending tool

Common phrases: blending stump, paper stump, use a stump

A person’s leg, especially when talking about moving or hurrying.

• Stir your stumps; we are late!
• He told the children to move their stumps.
• She stirred her stumps and hurried down the road.

Similar words: leg

Common phrases: stir your stumps, move your stumps

To leave someone unable to answer a question or solve a problem.

• That question stumped me.
• The puzzle has stumped several experts.
• Can you find a riddle that will stump her?

How to use it: stump someone (The final question stumped everyone.)

Similar words: baffle, puzzle, confuse

Common phrases: stump someone, stump an expert, stump the class, stump the experts

To give public speeches supporting a political candidate or cause.

• He stumps for local candidates.
• She spent weeks stumping for education reform.
• The former president will stump for his party tomorrow.

How to use it: stump for someone/something (She stumped for the party’s candidate.)

Similar words: campaign

Common phrases: stump for someone, stump for something

To travel around an area giving political speeches to win votes.

• She plans to stump the district.
• He stumped the state for three weeks.
• Both candidates are stumping rural counties before election day.

How to use it: stump a place (The candidate stumped the state before the election.)

Common phrases: stump the state, stump the district, stump the country