Definition of LUMP

lump

Plural: lumps

Noun

  • a compact mass
  • an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
  • an awkward stupid person
  • a large piece of something without definite shape
    • "a lump of coal"
  • Something that protrudes, sticks out, or sticks together; a cluster or blob; a mound or mass of no particular shape.
  • A swelling or nodule of tissue under the skin or in an internal part of the body.
  • A group, set, or unit.
  • A small, shaped mass of sugar, typically about a teaspoonful.
  • A dull or lazy person.
  • A fat person.
  • A beating or verbal abuse.
  • A projection beneath the breech end of a gun barrel.
  • A kind of fish, the lumpsucker.
  • Food given to a tramp to be eaten on the road.
  • The workhouse.

Verb

Verb Forms: lumped, lumping, lumps

  • To form into shapeless masses; to group things together carelessly.
  • put together indiscriminately
    • "lump together all the applicants"
  • group or chunk together in a certain order or place side by side
  • To treat as a single unit; to group together in a casual or chaotic manner (as if forming an ill-defined lump of the items).
  • To bear (a heavy or awkward burden); to carry (something unwieldy) from one place to another.
  • To burden (someone) with an undesired task or responsibility.
  • To hit or strike (a person).
  • To form a lump or lumps.

Examples

  • a lump of coal; a lump of clay; a lump of cheese
  • Do you want one lump or two with your coffee?
  • Don't just sit there like a lump.
  • Don’t just LUMP those tiles together; look for a strategic play!
  • He's taken his lumps over the years.
  • Lumps in the breasts are an indicator of breast cancer.
  • People tend to lump turtles and tortoises together, when in fact they are different creatures.
  • Stir the gravy until there are no more lumps.
  • The money arrived all at once as one big lump sum payment.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English lumpe, from a Germanic base akin to Proto-Germanic *limpaną (“to glide, go, hang loosely”). Compare Dutch lomp (“rag”), German Low German Lump (“rag”), German Lumpen (“rag”) and Lump (“ragamuffin”).

Scrabble Score: 8

lump: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
lump: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
lump: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

lump: valid Words With Friends Word