jumpy

[ juhm-pee ]

/ ˈdʒʌm pi /

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See synonyms for: jumpy / jumpiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, jump·i·er, jump·i·est.

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

characterized by sudden starts, jerks, or jumps: a jumpy narrative.

OTHER WORDS FOR jumpy

1 jittery, skittish, fidgety.

See synonyms for jumpy on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of jumpy

First recorded in 1865–70; jump + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM jumpy

jump·i·ly, adverbjump·i·ness, noun

Words nearby jumpy

jump the track, jump through hoops, jump to a conclusion, jump turn, jump-up, jumpy, jun, Junagadh, Junc., juncaceous, junco

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jumpy in a sentence

Allen has eschewed some of his jumpier tendencies from the early parts of his career, when savvy post men could fake him up into the air too easily.
The 3 Kinds Of Defensive Players Now Running The NBA|Ben Dowsett|February 1, 2022|FiveThirtyEight
Altuve had been jumpy at the plate, and so it’s a great sign that he stayed back on Smyly’s curve.
Astros bounce back to beat the Braves in Game 2, send the World Series to Atlanta tied|Chelsea Janes, Scott Allen, Adam Kilgore|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
A K-factor that is too high causes jumpy ratings that overreact to recent games.
How Our WNBA Predictions Work|Ryan Best (ryan.best@abc.com)|May 12, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
This is the perfect cultural moment to dangle the Kennedy-era optimism of a space hotel before a country full of jumpy shut-ins.
Imagining a five-star hotel among the stars|Liz Langley|April 8, 2021|Washington Post

Both reek of false modesty, but Deen does appear jumpy and genuinely anxious at times.
My Bizarre Night With James Deen, Libertarian Porn Star|Emily Shire|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
None looked jumpy to me; in fact the pedicab cyclists beside our carriage looked more winded and annoyed.
De Blasio Whipped by Horse Lobby|Josh Robin|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Throw in a dash of military menace and you have a device seemingly designed to make people jumpy.
Why Drones Make Us Nervous|Josh Dzieza|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She says her friends and peers are angrier and more jumpy than the people she has met in Egypt.
The Gaza Prison|Sarah A. Topol|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was superficial and jumpy and herky-jerky, bopping all over the place.
Debate III: Obama Wins, But Does It Do Him Any Good?|Michael Tomasky|October 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She had seemed pale and jumpy and morose, and had scarcely spoken a word during the whole of our walk.
In Accordance with the Evidence|Oliver Onions
Both Mrs. Crane and Julie tried to soothe him, but he was jumpy and his mouth twitched spasmodically.
The Come Back|Carolyn Wells
Just at first they are very jumpy, and then there comes a time when they learn to enjoy life while they have it.
The Dealings of Captain Sharkey|A. Conan Doyle
Then frequently she heels over to a very jumpy angle, as if a squall had struck her.
The Matabele Campaign|R. S. S. Baden-Powell
I married Mrs. B. then, an' she gets a bit jumpy now and again.
Mrs. Bindle|Hebert Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for jumpy

jumpy

/ (ˈdʒʌmpɪ) /

adjective jumpier or jumpiest

nervous or apprehensive

moving jerkily or fitfully

Derived forms of jumpy

jumpily, adverbjumpiness, noun

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

jumpy

OTHER WORDS FOR jumpy

Origin of jumpy

OTHER WORDS FROM jumpy

Words nearby jumpy

Words related to jumpy

How to use jumpy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jumpy

Derived forms of jumpy