bump
A small swelling on the body caused by a hit. / A raised area on a flat surface. / To knock against something or someone accidentally. / To meet someone unexpectedly.
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: bumpspast: bumpedpp: bumpeding: bumping
The word carries a sense of sudden, jarring impact. It suggests a collision that is usually minor and accidental rather than a violent crash. There is an inherent feeling of clumsiness or unexpectedness associated with the action.
Countable when referring to a physical lump on the skin or a hump in the road. Uncountable when referring to the general sensation of a bumpy ride.
Meanings
Phrasal Verbs
bump into
to meet someone unexpectedly
I bumped into my former boss at the grocery store yesterday.
bump up
to increase the amount or level of something
The company decided to bump up the starting salary for new recruits.
bump off
to kill someone, typically in a gangster or crime context
The mob boss ordered his henchmen to bump off the witness before the trial.