bumpy

[ buhm-pee ]

adjective

, bump·i·er, bump·i·est.

1. of uneven surface; full of bumps:

   a bumpy road.

2. full of jolts:

   a bumpy ride.

3. causing jolts:

   Bumpy air shook the airplane.

4. having many difficulties or failures; full of ups and downs:

   He had a rather bumpy career before he settled down in his present job.

bumpy

/ ˈbʌmpɪ /

adjective

1. having an uneven surface

   a bumpy road

2. full of jolts; rough

   a bumpy flight

Derived Forms

• ˈbumpiness, noun
• ˈbumpily, adverb

Other Words From

• bumpi·ly adverb
• bumpi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumpy¹

First recorded in 1860–65; bump + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Maryland Democrats are pressing for “a course correction” on the state’s bumpy vaccination rollout, a reflection of the Washington area’s anxiety over the handling of limited doses amid reports of more contagious virus strains in the region.

From Washington Post

They were left with a dry, bumpy, brittle crust covering a weakened layer of moist soil.

From Popular-Science

The post drew backlash from some who felt the former football star was getting special treatment, as millions of vulnerable Americans still have not received theirs amid a bumpy and disorganized distribution scheme.

From Vox

The support account on Twitter quickly became inundated with customers asking why their Internet was slow and bumpy.

From Washington Post

Like many first-time founders, I faced a bumpy road with a lot of lessons, and we eventually shut the company down.

From Fortune

Related Words

• choppy
• jarring
• jerky
• rugged
• rutted
• uneven