bumpy
UK: ˈbʌmpi | US: ˈbʌmpi
adj. having an uneven or irregular surface; covered with bumps
adj. (of a journey or movement) involving jolts or sudden changes in speed or direction
bumpy = bump<protrusion/swelling> + y<adjective suffix>
- bump: From Middle English bumpe (a thud or blow), likely of imitative origin (echoic of the sound of impact).
- -y: A productive English suffix forming adjectives meaning "characterized by" or "full of."
Etymology Origin:
The word bumpy emerged in the 18th century, combining bump (a raised or uneven surface) with the adjectival suffix -y. The root bump itself mimics the sound of collision, reflecting its original association with physical impacts. Over time, bumpy expanded metaphorically to describe anything uneven or jarring, such as a rough road or turbulent experience.
The dirt road was so bumpy that the car rattled violently.
She held the baby tightly during the bumpy airplane descent.
The cake turned out lumpy and bumpy after mixing errors.
His bike ride became bumpy when he hit a patch of gravel.
The project had a bumpy start but eventually smoothed out.