dumpier; dumpiest
1
: being short and thick in build : squat
2
dumpily adverb
dumpiness noun

Examples of dumpy in a Sentence

a dumpy guy in his forties dumpy little toddlers growing into lanky children
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In context, Franklin was critiquing a rather dumpy drawing of an eagle lacking a regal beak by the Society of the Cincinnati, which had adopted the nation’s bird as its symbol. Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024 In fact, it was released during the slightly less dumpy dump month of February — on February 13, 1991, with nationwide sneak previews on February 2, 1991. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2024 In the premiere, Martha is made to look as dumpy and pathetic—and then as unhinged—as possible. Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024 The amazing thing is that, for all the history that came through its doors, KCR was a dumpy little studio with a broadcast board on the way out. Dante Ross, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for dumpy 

Word History

Etymology

English dialect dump lump

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dumpy was in 1750

Dictionary Entries Near dumpy

Cite this Entry

“Dumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumpy. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dumpy

adjective
dumpier; dumpiest
1
: short and thick in build : squat
2
dumpiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dumpy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!