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The Vocabulary Builder Workbook of Adjectives

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jumpy

adjective

/dʒʌm pi/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of jumpy

Nervous, easily startled, or prone to sudden, jittery movements.
"The horror movie made everyone in the theater jumpy, with screams and gasps filling the room."

Detailed meaning of jumpy

When someone is jumpy, they may exhibit signs of restlessness, anxiety, or heightened sensitivity to their surroundings. It often manifests as an exaggerated startle response, where even minor or unexpected stimuli can cause a person to react with a quick, involuntary jump or twitch. The term "jumpy" suggests a heightened state of alertness or unease, where individuals may be on edge, anticipating potential threats or dangers. This heightened reactivity can be a temporary response to a specific situation or a characteristic of an individual's temperament. People may become jumpy due to factors such as stress, trauma, caffeine intake, or certain medical conditions. Overall, being jumpy reflects a state of heightened vigilance and a tendency to react swiftly to perceived stimuli.

Example sentences containing jumpy

1. The sudden loud noise made the cat jumpy, causing it to leap into the air.
2. She was feeling jumpy before her job interview, tapping her foot nervously.
3. The jumpy child couldn't sit still, constantly fidgeting and shifting in their seat.
4. The unexpected thunderstorm made the dog jumpy, hiding under the bed for safety.
5. The jumpy rabbit darted away at the slightest movement, always on high alert.
6. The caffeine in his coffee made him feel jumpy and restless, unable to relax.

History and etymology of jumpy

The adjective 'jumpy' finds its etymological roots in the early 20th century American English slang. It is believed to have emerged as an informal variation of the word 'jump,' which itself has a long history in English. 'Jump' comes from the Middle English word 'jumpe,' meaning to make a sudden jerk or hop. The addition of the '-y' suffix, commonly used to form adjectives indicating a quality or tendency, transformed 'jump' into 'jumpy.' This transformation reflects the idea that individuals who are prone to sudden, jittery movements or are easily startled exhibit a characteristic behavior akin to quick jumps or jerks, hence the term 'jumpy' to describe their nervous disposition.

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Further usage examples of jumpy

1. The car's sudden swerve made the passengers jumpy, gripping onto the seats tightly.
2. The jumpy anticipation before the roller coaster drop had everyone holding their breath.
3. The dark alley made her feel jumpy and uneasy, quickening her pace to get through it.
4. The jumpy squirrel scampered away at the sound of a branch breaking nearby.
5. The jumpy anticipation of the surprise party made her heart race with excitement.
6. Kate felt jumpy; every noise in the dark forest made her heart race wildly.
7. The jumpy cat hissed, its eyes wide and tail puffed out, ready to flee.
8. Mark was so jumpy that even the phone's ring made him leap from his seat.
9. Jane hated horror movies; they always made her feel jumpy and anxious.
10. A jumpy rabbit darted away, its ears alert to every rustle in the grass.
11. After the scary tale, the kids were too jumpy to sleep; they were alert.
12. The soldier, still jumpy, would start at the slightest of sounds, wary.
13. In the eerie silence of the mansion, Alex grew jumpy with every creak.
14. "You seem jumpy," said John, noticing how easily Maria was startled.
15. The jumpy audience gasped and screamed at each shock in the thriller.
16. As a jumpy person, haunted houses were Linda’s least favorite places.
17. The jumpy dog barked at every passerby, unnerved in the busy city.
18. In the spooky graveyard, even the brave can become quite jumpy and scared.
19. Every shadow made the jumpy traveler’s heartbeat sound like thunder.
20. A jumpy squirrel, eyes wide, chattered loudly, alert to potential danger.
21. At night, eerie sounds make the bravest souls a bit jumpy and unsettled.
22. A jumpy detective in the thriller kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
23. The jumpy witness recounted the crime, trembling with every word spoken.
24. Alone in the old house, every noise made him jumpy, alert, and paranoid.
25. The jumpy horse, spooked, reared up, throwing its rider to the ground.