jump
gb/d͡ʒˈʌmp/ us/d͡ʒˈʌmp/
A1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Push off surface into air
To use your legs to go up into the air from the ground or another surface.
Usage pattern:
to jump [over/across/onto] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'jump' with 'hop'; 'hop' is usually for one foot or small movements, while 'jump' can be bigger and use both feet.
Synonyms
leap (Often suggests a longer or more energetic jump.)
Antonyms
stand still (Means to remain in place without movement.)
Collocations
jump high
|jump over
|jump rope
|jump onto
Themes
sports
|daily life
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The cat jumped onto the windowsill.
- She jumped over the puddle to keep her shoes dry.
- The children were jumping up and down with excitement.
- He jumped across the small stream.
- I jumped as high as I could to reach the branch.
Learner examples
- The dog jumps over the box.
- I jump on the bed.
- She jumps very high.
- We jump in the park.
Verb
A2
action
2
Move suddenly from shock
To move quickly because something scared or surprised you.
Usage pattern:
to jump when [something happens]
Synonyms
flinch (A smaller, often less noticeable movement than 'jump'.)
Antonyms
remain calm (To stay still and not react physically to surprise or fear.)
Collocations
jump in surprise
|jump with fright
|jump at the sound
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I jumped when the balloon popped.
- She jumped at the sudden loud noise.
- He jumped when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
Learner examples
- I jump when I hear a loud sound.
- She jumps when the door slams.
- He jumps when the dog barks.
Noun
A2
action
3
Act of pushing off into air
The action of going up into the air using your legs and feet.
Usage pattern:
to make/take/do a jump
Synonyms
leap (Often suggests greater energy or distance than 'jump'.)
Collocations
long jump
|high jump
|take a jump
Themes
sports
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her final jump broke the world record.
- He made a big jump over the fence.
- The horse cleared the jump easily.
Learner examples
- The boy makes a big jump.
- She does a long jump.
- I take a small jump.
Verb
B1
event
4
Increase suddenly in amount or level
To go up fast by a large amount.
Usage pattern:
to jump from [amount] to [amount]
Synonyms
soar ('Soar' often suggests a sustained or dramatic rise.)
Antonyms
drop (Means to decrease in amount or level.)
Collocations
prices jump
|sales jump
|temperature jumps
Themes
business
|statistics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Gas prices jumped overnight.
- Sales jumped by 30% last quarter.
- The temperature jumped from 10°C to 20°C in an hour.
Learner examples
- The price jumps a lot today.
- Sales jump this week.
- The number jumps fast.
Verb
B1
action
5
Move quickly to something else
To go quickly from one thing to another without waiting.
Usage pattern:
to jump from [topic/place/activity] to [topic/place/activity]
Synonyms
switch ('Switch' is more neutral and not necessarily sudden.)
Antonyms
stick with (Means to remain with one topic or activity.)
Collocations
jump from one thing to another
|jump topics
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He kept jumping from one subject to another during his speech.
- She jumped from cooking dinner to helping her son with homework.
- The movie jumps between past and present.
Learner examples
- He jumps from one idea to another.
- She jumps from work to study.
- The story jumps from today to yesterday.
Grammar
Dictionary form
jump
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈʌmp/
US/d͡ʒˈʌmp/
Syllables & stress
jump (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (jump)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: jump
- Plural: jumps
Verb
- Base: jump
- 3rd Person Singular: jumps
- Present Participle: jumping
- Past: jumped
Word family
Forms
jumps
noun
jumping
verb
jumped
verb
Related words
jumper
noun A2
jumpy
adjective
Advanced or less common
jumpiness
noun
Expressions
jump at the chance
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ˈæt ðə t͡ʃˈæns/
idiom
Accept opportunity eagerly and quickly
To be happy to take an opportunity right away.
Examples
- When they offered him the job in Paris, he jumped at the chance.
- She jumped at the chance to see her favorite band live.
jump in
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Enter suddenly into something
To join a conversation, activity, or situation quickly without waiting.
Examples
- Feel free to jump in if you have something to add.
- She jumped in to help when she saw they were struggling.
jump start
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
Start quickly or give new energy/power
To start something fast or give it extra energy; also, to start a car when its battery is dead using another power source.
Examples
- We need something to jump start the economy.
- He helped me jump start my car this morning.
jump through hoops
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp θɹˈu hˈups/
idiom
informal
Do many difficult tasks for goal
To do many hard things so you can get something you want.
Examples
- We had to jump through hoops to get our visas approved.
- Applicants are expected to jump through hoops before they can be accepted.
jump ship
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ʃˈɪp/
idiom
informal
Leave job/project suddenly and unexpectedly
To quit your job or leave a project suddenly without finishing it.
Examples
- Several employees jumped ship when they heard about the merger.
- He jumped ship before the project was finished.
- He jumped ship just before the company collapsed.