dumpy

¹ American  

[duhm-pee] / ˈdʌm pi /

adjective

dumpier, dumpiest

1. dumpish; dejected; sulky.

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dumpy ² American  

[duhm-pee] / ˈdʌm pi /

adjective

dumpier, dumpiest

1. short and stout; squat.

   a dumpy figure.

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dumpy ¹ British  

/ ˈdʌmpɪ /

adjective

1. short and plump; squat

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dumpy ² British  

/ ˈdʌmpɪ, ˈdʌmpɪʃ /

adjective

1. rare in low spirits; depressed; morose

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Other Word Forms

• dumpily adverb
• dumpiness noun

Etymology

Origin of dumpy¹

First recorded in 1610–20; dump(s) + -y ¹

Origin of dumpy²

First recorded in 1740–50; perhaps akin to dumpling

Example Sentences

Ragoravich’s dacha is a “garish and almost grotesque” palace clad in marble that makes Maggie think of Versailles, but in a way that makes Versailles seem dumpy.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2025

Speaking about her weight and obesity in a TV special, the US broadcaster and actress said she would "never forget" called "bumpy, lumpy and down right dumpy" on a magazine cover.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2024

"Coxen's fig-parrots are small, dumpy, green parrots with very short tails, and historically they were scattered in rainforests between Bundaberg in Queensland and the Hastings River in New South Wales," Mr Backstrom said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 29, 2023

She reflects on all the varied, tender memories a dumpy local chain store can hold, and what was lost when her daughter’s Walgreens closed.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2023

Patricia’s calendar was tiny and dumpy, and for each month there was a stunning little pencil sketch of a scene from Hailsham life.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro