plumped; plumping; plumps
1
: to drop, sink, or come in contact suddenly or heavily
plumped down in the chair
2
: to favor or decide in favor of someone or something strongly or emphatically
—used with for
1
: to drop, cast, or place suddenly or heavily
2
: to give support and favorable publicity to
: a sudden plunge, fall, or blow
also
: the sound made by a plump
1
: with a sudden or heavy drop
2
a
: straight down
b
: straight ahead
3
: without qualification : directly
plump out of luck
plumped; plumping; plumps
: to make plump
: to become plump
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Adverb
Adjective
Examples of plump in a Sentence
Adverb
there was a squirrel on the sidewalk plump in front of us
Adjective
His aunt pinched his plump cheeks.
she's been plump all her life, and her sister has always been skinny
Recent Examples on the Web
Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024
Supple and smoothing, this hydrating gloss plumped our pouts in just one swipe, producing a cooling sensation that soothed our skin.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 7 Jan. 2024
Occlusive waxes or oils are being combined with plumping and collagen-enhancing peptides (i.e., Maxilip, Volulip, etc.), along with barrier-reparative skincare ingredients like ceramides.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Finding ingredients to penetrate our drier, thicker body skin, eventually resulted in Body Reform’s brightening vitamin C, plumping amino acid, and KP-reducing Hydronesis™ formula.
—Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
To capture a similar look, try the Pinking of You Satin Blush and plumping lip gloss in Pink Razor.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2024
The illuminating serum still has its skincare ingredients, including niacinamide to even skin tone, shrink pores, boost the skin barrier and brighten, along with centella asiatica to reduce redness and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
First Spray Serum harnesses the antioxidant properties of truffles to help plump and nourish skin, while working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
—Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Material: Bian stone | Key Features: Sculpts skin, minimizes wrinkles, brightens complexion, plumps skin
What Is Bian Stone?
Bian stone originated 65 million years ago in Shandong, China, after a meteorite strike.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Creamy pearls brighten, hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates, and pigments and tetrapeptides color correct.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Counting Selena Gomez among its fans, the Dewy Skin Cream plumps dry skin with long-lasting hydration via the Hadasei-3 blend and hyaluronic acid.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Nov. 2023
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Formulated with the brand’s custom Miracle Broth, the intensely rich cream plumps, firms, and moisturizes the skin.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, aloe vera and sunflower seed oil plumps and conditions skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
This hydrating, color-changing formula moisturizes and visibly plumps, offering a luxurious shine at a budget-friendly price.
Find it on AmazonFind it on Walmart
Refresh Your Hair Instantly With This Dry Shampoo
Keep your hair looking fresh with the convenient travel-sized dry shampoo powder.
—Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Perfect for sensitive skin, the lightweight formula hydrates and plumps without any irritation.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Feb. 2023
Collagen plumps and firms the skin, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting against free radicals that cause damage and accelerate the aging process.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2023
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024
The 2,600-square-foot restaurant and bar, which often doubled as a community entertainment space, sat adjacent to Faria Bakery at 3413 Broadway and baked thin-crust pizza and plump cinnamon rolls.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
And while the sides — pans of mac and cheese, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes — sit on a heated rack behind the counter, the only things that move are eight plump chickens, rotating on a spit.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Kylie Jenner Joined by Mom Kris Jenner and Sister Khloé Kardashian at Launch Party for New Vodka Soda Drink
Kylie styled her black hair in loose waves and kept her radiant glam to a glowy base and a plump mauve pink lip.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
Our shuttle has been helping amphibians cross the road for 10 years now, one plump pink frog at a time.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024
Here’s the easiest way to draw moisture into the skin, and to make everything more firm and plump in the process.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
On the other hand, if dark circles are caused by dehydration and poor circulation, look for eye creams that contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and caffeine to hydrate and plump.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
Sweet Butter’s Shrimp Ceviche This simple recipe from Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks uses plump tiger shrimp, onion, tomato and habanero peppers in fresh lemon juice with spices that are probably already in your pantry.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024
Verb
Points and miles bonus opportunities IHG One Rewards wants to plump up your account with extra points this spring.
—Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024
Supple and smoothing, this hydrating gloss plumped our pouts in just one swipe, producing a cooling sensation that soothed our skin.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 7 Jan. 2024
Occlusive waxes or oils are being combined with plumping and collagen-enhancing peptides (i.e., Maxilip, Volulip, etc.), along with barrier-reparative skincare ingredients like ceramides.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Finding ingredients to penetrate our drier, thicker body skin, eventually resulted in Body Reform’s brightening vitamin C, plumping amino acid, and KP-reducing Hydronesis™ formula.
—Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
To capture a similar look, try the Pinking of You Satin Blush and plumping lip gloss in Pink Razor.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2024
The illuminating serum still has its skincare ingredients, including niacinamide to even skin tone, shrink pores, boost the skin barrier and brighten, along with centella asiatica to reduce redness and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
First Spray Serum harnesses the antioxidant properties of truffles to help plump and nourish skin, while working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
—Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Material: Bian stone | Key Features: Sculpts skin, minimizes wrinkles, brightens complexion, plumps skin
What Is Bian Stone?
Bian stone originated 65 million years ago in Shandong, China, after a meteorite strike.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
Tatcha Dewy Serum Unveil plump, dewy skin with a multitasking serum that uses lactic acid to smooth, hyaluronic acid to plump, and squalane to seal in moisture.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Creamy pearls brighten, hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates, and pigments and tetrapeptides color correct.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Counting Selena Gomez among its fans, the Dewy Skin Cream plumps dry skin with long-lasting hydration via the Hadasei-3 blend and hyaluronic acid.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Nov. 2023
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Formulated with the brand’s custom Miracle Broth, the intensely rich cream plumps, firms, and moisturizes the skin.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, aloe vera and sunflower seed oil plumps and conditions skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
This hydrating, color-changing formula moisturizes and visibly plumps, offering a luxurious shine at a budget-friendly price.
Find it on AmazonFind it on Walmart
Refresh Your Hair Instantly With This Dry Shampoo
Keep your hair looking fresh with the convenient travel-sized dry shampoo powder.
—Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Perfect for sensitive skin, the lightweight formula hydrates and plumps without any irritation.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Feb. 2023
Collagen plumps and firms the skin, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting against free radicals that cause damage and accelerate the aging process.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2023
Adjective
Both help skin absorb any skin care products that follow and promote plump, luminous skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024
The 2,600-square-foot restaurant and bar, which often doubled as a community entertainment space, sat adjacent to Faria Bakery at 3413 Broadway and baked thin-crust pizza and plump cinnamon rolls.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
And while the sides — pans of mac and cheese, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes — sit on a heated rack behind the counter, the only things that move are eight plump chickens, rotating on a spit.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Kylie Jenner Joined by Mom Kris Jenner and Sister Khloé Kardashian at Launch Party for New Vodka Soda Drink
Kylie styled her black hair in loose waves and kept her radiant glam to a glowy base and a plump mauve pink lip.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
Our shuttle has been helping amphibians cross the road for 10 years now, one plump pink frog at a time.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024
Here’s the easiest way to draw moisture into the skin, and to make everything more firm and plump in the process.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
On the other hand, if dark circles are caused by dehydration and poor circulation, look for eye creams that contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and caffeine to hydrate and plump.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
Sweet Butter’s Shrimp Ceviche This simple recipe from Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks uses plump tiger shrimp, onion, tomato and habanero peppers in fresh lemon juice with spices that are probably already in your pantry.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English
Noun (2)
Middle English plumpe
Adjective and Verb (2)
Middle English, dull, blunt, from Middle Dutch plomp
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Adjective
1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of plump was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing plump
Articles Related to plump
Dictionary Entries Near plump
Cite this Entry
“Plump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plump. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
plump
1 of 5 verb1
: to drop, sink, or come in contact suddenly or heavily
plumped down in the chair
2
: to support someone or something strongly
—used with for
plump for a candidate
plump
2 of 5 noun
: a sudden plunge, fall, or blow
plump
3 of 5 adverb1
: with a sudden or heavy drop
2
: directly entry 1 sense 1
ran plump into the wall
plump
4 of 5 verb
: to make or become plump
plump up a pillow
Etymology
Verb
Middle English plumpen "to drop or sink heavily"
Verb
plump (adjective) "rounded, chubby," from Middle English plump "dull, blunt"
More from Merriam-Webster on plump
Nglish: Translation of plump for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of plump for Arabic Speakers
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