lumpy

[ luhm-pee ]

adjective

, lump·i·er, lump·i·est.

1. full of lumps: lump:

   lumpy gravy.

2. covered with lumps, lump, as a surface.
3. heavy or clumsy, as in movement or style; crude:

   a lumpy gait; a lumpy narrative.

4. (of water) rough or choppy.

lumpy

/ ˈlʌmpɪ /

adjective

1. full of or having lumps
2. (esp of the sea) rough
3. (of a person) heavy or bulky

Derived Forms

• ˈlumpiness, noun
• ˈlumpily, adverb

Other Words From

• lumpi·ly adverb
• lumpi·ness noun
• un·lumpy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lumpy¹

First recorded in 1700–10; lump ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Their lumpy shapes feel not like imperfections but visual reminders of the handcrafted nature of their creation, proof that they’ve been lovingly sculpted with the beauty of truth, not the tyranny of realism.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you prolong purees and don’t introduce lumpy foods by 10 months, we have evidence that by 15 months and even 7 years, it influences food acceptance,” Greenberg said.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, May continued to disregard the rule that penalizes those directors who take budgets lightly. 1976’s “Mikey and Nicky,” a bleak gangster buddy film, was plagued by cost overruns and a lumpy plot.

From Los Angeles Times

Alex lies across the lumpy living-room sofa, chomping on beef jerky.

From Literature

How lumpy our bed was with all her lockets and bangles and her garnet ring.

From Literature

Related Words

• bumpy
• chunky
• irregular