Language Research

bump · verb

/bʌmp/Full view

bump

B2 T to hurt part of your body by hitting it against something hard

Dictionary example:

I bumped my head on the shelf as I stood up.

bump into sth

B2 to hit something with force

Dictionary example:

She bumped into his tray, knocking the food onto his lap.

Learner example:

A young man ran after the ball and bumped into her. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

bump into sb

C1 to meet someone you know when you have not expected to meet them

Dictionary example:

I bumped into Mark when I was out shopping this afternoon.

Learner example:

This seemed like a very good decision at the beginning as now you could walk freely and could stand freely in the middle of any street to chat with [a] friend when you bumped into one. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Turkish)

bump · noun

/bʌmp/

bump (BODY)

C1 a raised area on your body where it has been hurt by hitting something hard

Dictionary example:

I got a bump on my head when I hit it getting into the car.

bump (SURFACE)

C1 a round, raised area on a surface

Dictionary example:

I fell off my bike when I hit a bump riding down the hill.

Learner example:

[P]eople don't feel safe on the streets anymore due to [the] lack of speed limit signs or speed bumps on the roads, or simply traffic lights! (Skills for Life (Level 2); C1; Polish)