HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

plump¹

(plŭmp)

adj. plump·er, plump·est

1. Well-rounded and full in form; chubby. See Synonyms at fat.

2. Abundant; ample: a plump reward.

v. plumped, plump·ing, plumps

v.tr.

To make well-rounded or full in form: plumped up the pillows.

v.intr.

To become well-rounded, chubby, or full in form: The baby plumped out at three months.

[Middle English, dull, probably from Middle Low German plomp, blunt, thick.]

plumpish adj.

plumply adv.

plumpness n.

plump²

(plŭmp)

v. plumped, plump·ing, plumps

v.intr.

1. To drop abruptly or heavily: plumped into the easy chair.

2. To give full support or praise: plumped for the candidate throughout the state.

v.tr.

To throw down or drop (something) abruptly or heavily: plumped the books onto the table.

1. A heavy or abrupt fall or collision.

2. The sound of a heavy fall or collision.

adj.

Blunt; direct.

adv.

1. With a heavy or abrupt drop: The anchor fell plump into the sea.

a. With a full or sudden impact: walked plump into the pole.

b. Directly: ran plump into an old friend.

3. Without qualification; bluntly: spoke out plump for the tax bill.

[Middle English plumpen, to immerse quickly, perhaps from Middle Low German, probably of imitative origin.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products