bumptious

[ buhmp-shuhs ]

adjective

1. offensively self-assertive:

   a bumptious young upstart.

   Synonyms: brash, cheeky, cocky, forward, pushy

bumptious

/ ˈbʌmpʃəs /

adjective

1. offensively self-assertive or conceited

Derived Forms

• ˈbumptiously, adverb
• ˈbumptiousness, noun

Other Words From

• bumptious·ly adverb
• bumptious·ness noun
• over·bumptious adjective
• over·bumptious·ly adverb
• over·bumptious·ness noun
• un·bumptious adjective
• un·bumptious·ly adverb
• un·bumptious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumptious¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; bump + (frac)tious

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumptious¹

C19: perhaps a blend of bump + fractious

Example Sentences

The stage for his artistic blossoming was set in 1482, when he left the rich mercantile city of Florence for the cruder, more bumptious northern city of Milan.

From Los Angeles Times

Classical in conception — right down to a repeat of the exposition material in the opening movement — it also contains traces of crunchy harmonic modernism and the bumptious sounds of vintage American jazz styles.

From New York Times

These dragons are not awaiting a human slayer, a bumptious avatar of St. George.

From New York Times

Similarly wide-ranging is León’s “Alma” — the lyrical opening of which follows a winding, entertaining path toward the bumptious rhythmic fillips of its central section.

From New York Times

Writing in The New York Times, the critic Roberta Smith described Mr. Bickerton’s pieces in that show as “the most bumptious, engaging and least didactic on view.”

From New York Times

More About Bumptious

Where does bumptious come from?

For as fun as the word bumptious sounds, its meaning is more forceful. Bumptious is recorded in the late 1790s and is a blend of bump and fractious, meaning “unruly” or “irritable.” Bumptious bumps fractious up to the next level, meaning “offensively self-assertive.”

Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow “These Wacky Words Originated In The USA.”

Did you know … ?

Looking to assert your vocab even more? Try these synonyms for bumptious:

• brash
• cheeky
• cocky
• conceited
• overproud
• pompous

We’re also fond of braggadocious—as a word, not a behavior, to be sure! Bumptious can easily be confused with a similar sounding word that is also close in meaning, presumptuous.

Head on over to Thesaurus.com for more synonyms for bumptious. Arrogant is a useful place to start.