Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

goose bumps

American  
[goos-buhmps] / ˈgusˌbʌmps /
Or goosebumps

plural noun

  1. a rough condition of the skin, resembling that of a plucked goose, induced by cold or fear; horripilation.


Etymology

Origin of goose bumps

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

See Examples For:

Then there are 1997 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green cards, which just by typing that highfalutin name can give even the most savvy collector goose bumps.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 24, 2026

“It gives me goose bumps when I think about that scene,” Thornton said.

From Seattle Times Apr. 13, 2024

“It gives me goose bumps to know that the vision that we had back then” paid off, Cárdenas said.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 27, 2024

Seeing Tyla's meteoric rise to fame has given her goose bumps, she adds.

From BBC Dec. 8, 2023

I’ve seen him play piano during school concerts; it gave me goose bumps.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training