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plumper

1 American  
[pluhm-per] / ˈplʌm pər /

noun

  1. an act of falling heavily; a plumping.

  2. Chiefly British. the vote of a person who plumps.


plumper 2 American  
[pluhm-per] / ˈplʌm pər /

noun

  1. something carried in the mouth to fill out hollow cheeks.


plumper British  
/ ˈplʌmpə /

noun

  1. a pad carried in the mouth by actors to round out the cheeks

"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

Etymology

Origin of plumper1

plump 2 + -er 1

Origin of plumper2

First recorded in 1755–65; plump 1 + -er 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.

Instead, she says many products on offer promising plumper skin and fuller hair, often marketed as anti-ageing, will already be aligned with what may appeal to those on weight-loss drugs.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But Curtis hurls herself into this schtick with gusto — say, demanding a ring light and lip plumper for her passport photo — and gets you laughing anyway.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

Over the past half-century, as breeders selected for larger ears with more numerous and plumper, heavier kernels, they ended up choosing big plants with many leaves for photosynthesis and tall stalks.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 25, 2023

Slice and dice the plumper varieties into salads, scones, or onto pavlova; coax them with a little heat and sugar into compote or jam.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2022

“And my sister,” says a woman opening the door, a plumper, younger, frownier version of Hildy.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness

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