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Synonyms

jumpy

American  
[juhm-pee] / ˈdʒʌm pi /

adjective

jumpier, jumpiest

  1. subject to sudden, involuntary starts, especially from nervousness, fear, excitement, etc.

    Synonyms:
    fidgety, skittish, jittery

  2. characterized by sudden starts, jerks, or jumps.

    a jumpy narrative.
jumpy British  
/ ˈdʒʌmpɪ /

adjective

  1. nervous or apprehensive

  2. moving jerkily or fitfully

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • jumpily adverb
  • jumpiness noun

Etymology

Origin of jumpy

First recorded in 1865–70; jump + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But on the way to Ms. Chang’s class, Ana asks: “How come you’re so jumpy?”

From Literature

She startles and spins around, just as jumpy as last night.

From Literature

He was pale and jumpy, his hands fluttering here and there like two hummingbirds.

From Literature

“People get real jumpy wherever they see a large black vehicle.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Bond markets have been jumpy, reflecting the firmed-up rate hike expectations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.