Definition
Bumptious refers to people who are excessively self-assertive, brash, or presumptuous. They are often full of themselves and act in an arrogant or conceited manner.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
adjective
Synonyms
arrogant, conceited, pompous, haughty, overbearing, presumptuous, self-important, egotistical, self-centered.
Antonyms
Humble, modest, meek, unassuming, deferential, unpretentious, reserved, shy.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | bumptiousnesses, bumptiousness |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | bumptious |
| Adverb | bumptiously |
Example Sentences
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The new intern was so bumptious that she annoyed all her coworkers.
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I find it difficult to have a conversation with a bumptious person, as they tend to talk more than listen.
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The politician’s bumptious attitude turned off many of her potential supporters.
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Jack’s bumptious behavior at the party made a bad impression on everyone he met.
Usage
The word bumptious is derived from the noun bump, meaning an act of striking something or being struck, and the suffix -tious, which is used to indicate an inclination towards something in a negative way. Thus, bumptious indicates the condition of being bump-like, i.e., behaving like a person who is often bumping into things due to their excessive self-assertiveness.
The word is often used to describe people who are annoyingly self-important or overbearing. Bumptious people are known for their tendency to speak more than they listen, and for their arrogance and conceit. They often act superior to others, and have a hard time accepting criticism or feedback from others. Bumptiousness is not a desirable trait, as it can make people appear unapproachable or difficult to work with.
The prefix pre- can be added to bumptious to create the word preemptious, which means overly eager to take action, often without considering the full consequences of one’s actions. This can describe a person who rushes into a situation without proper preparation, or someone who is quick to take credit for the work of others. The word postumptious can be formed by adding the prefix post-, which means after, and refers to behavior that is presumptuous after the fact, or presumptive after an event has occurred.
In summary, bumptious is a negative adjective that describes someone who behaves arrogantly, presumptuously, or overbearingly. It is used to describe people who act superior to others, and it is generally considered a negative trait. Other variations of the word include preemptious and postumptious.