Bumpy

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌmpi/

Definitions

1. Characterized by an uneven surface with many raised areas or jolts, causing a rough and jarring experience
2. Marked by irregular elevations and depressions on a surface that result in an uncomfortable and jolting motion during travel
3. Defined by a surface that is uneven and irregular, leading to a rough and tumultuous experience when traversed

Etymology: Bumpy is simply "bump" with the suffix "-y" added, and the "-y" is a very old and productive piece of English. It descends from the Old English "-ig" and "-iġ," which turned nouns into adjectives meaning "full of" or "having the quality of" the noun, so "bumpy" literally means "full of bumps." The same suffix gives us "stony," "hairy," and "windy." The noun "bump" is the older building block here. It comes from a sound-imitative origin, and its sense of a swelling or lump on a surface developed from that base. The adjective then describes any surface where such lumps keep appearing, whether a road, a ride, or a landing.

Synonyms: uneven, rough

Antonyms: smooth, level