bumptious

[ buhmp-shuhs ]

adjective

1. offensively self-assertive:

   a bumptious young upstart.

   Synonyms: brash, cheeky, cocky, forward, pushy

bumptious

/ ˈbʌmpʃəs /

adjective

1. offensively self-assertive or conceited

Derived Forms

• ˈbumptiousness, noun
• ˈbumptiously, adverb

Other Words From

• bumptious·ly adverb
• bumptious·ness noun
• over·bumptious adjective
• over·bumptious·ly adverb
• over·bumptious·ness noun
• un·bumptious adjective
• un·bumptious·ly adverb
• un·bumptious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumptious¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; bump + (frac)tious

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumptious¹

C19: perhaps a blend of bump + fractious

Example Sentences

Watson later tried to buddy up to Wilkins at a cocktail party, but the socially awkward Wilkins did his best to avoid the bumptious American.

From Nautilus

Bumptious little man, and yet—and yet there's something in him.

From Project Gutenberg

The court was thrown into amazement, and even Bumptious quailed before the fist of the mighty Jorrocks.

From Project Gutenberg

She was always—not exactly proud like, but what I calls Bumptious.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Bumptious

Where does bumptious come from?

For as fun as the word bumptious sounds, its meaning is more forceful. Bumptious is recorded in the late 1790s and is a blend of bump and fractious, meaning “unruly” or “irritable.” Bumptious bumps fractious up to the next level, meaning “offensively self-assertive.”

Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow “These Wacky Words Originated In The USA.”

Did you know … ?

Looking to assert your vocab even more? Try these synonyms for bumptious:

• brash
• cheeky
• cocky
• conceited
• overproud
• pompous

We’re also fond of braggadocious—as a word, not a behavior, to be sure! Bumptious can easily be confused with a similar sounding word that is also close in meaning, presumptuous.

Head on over to Thesaurus.com for more synonyms for bumptious. Arrogant is a useful place to start.