Phrase guide

bump into

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˌbʌmˈpɪn.tuː/
  • US: /ˌbʌmˈpɪn.tu/
  • unstressed: /ˌbʌmˈpɪn.tə/ before consonants
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • before-vowel, unstressed: /ˌbʌmˈpɪn.tʊ/
  • rhymes with (unstressed, before consonants) -ɪntə

1

verb

Meaning 1

To collide with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, literally

Examples

  • He bumped into the wall. I guess that's a risk you take when you read while walking.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cause (a thing) to collide with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally, transitive

Examples

  • The roads were so slippery that I couldn't stop, and I bumped my car into the car in front of me.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To meet by chance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • We bumped into each other at the library yesterday.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run into

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

collide violently with an obstacle

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I ran into the telephone pole

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run into, jar against, butt against, knock against

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hit, strike, impinge on, run into, collide with

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: wpadać na — Translations
  • Polish: wpaść na — Translations
  • Spanish: hacerse encontradizo — Translations
  • Spanish: hacerse el encontradizo — Translations