1
: a brimming cup or glass
2
: something unusually large
1
: unusually large
a bumper crop
2
1
: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)
specifically
: a bar at either end of an automobile
2
: one that bumps
3
: a brief interval on radio or television filled with music, video shots, or voice-overs that marks a break between a program and a commercial
Synonyms
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Noun (2)
Examples of bumper in a Sentence
Adjective
We had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year.
it's been a bumper year for movies aimed at intelligent adults
Noun (2)
cars have bumpers to protect them from damage in minor collisions
Recent Examples on the Web
Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
With Makar at the point, MacKinnon and McDavid on the flanks, Sam Reinhart in the bumper and Crosby at the net-front, there’s no shortage of weapons to punish opponents with the man advantage.
—Michael Russo, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the trooper found a hawk stuck under the bumper.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The Acura made contact with the cruiser bumper as the trooper approached the SUV and waited in the median for backup, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bumper 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
One section of the book shows off the bumpers that Ms. Matthews took during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
With Makar at the point, MacKinnon and McDavid on the flanks, Sam Reinhart in the bumper and Crosby at the net-front, there’s no shortage of weapons to punish opponents with the man advantage.
—Michael Russo, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the trooper found a hawk stuck under the bumper.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The Acura made contact with the cruiser bumper as the trooper approached the SUV and waited in the median for backup, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bumper
Articles Related to bumper
Dictionary Entries Near bumper
Cite this Entry
“Bumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumper. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bumper
1 of 2 adjective
bum·per
ˈbəm-pər 
: unusually large or fine
a bumper crop
bumper
2 of 2 noun
bump·er
ˈbəm-pər
: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)
especially
: a bar at the front or back of a motor vehicle
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