BUMP

Meaning

A light blow or jolting collision.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Early Modern English bump (“a shock, blow from a collision”), probably of North Germanic origin; compare Danish bump (“a thump”), Danish bumpe (“to thump”), Old Danish bumpe (“to strike with a clenched fist”), all probably of imitative origin. Apparently related to Middle English bumben, bummen (“to make a hollow noise”), Dutch bommen (“to hum, buzz”), German Low German bumsen (“to bump, push”), German bummen (“to hum, buzz”), Icelandic bumba (“drum”). More at bum, bumble. Compare also bomb.

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

• 2026-04-01MBPIGNU