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Definition of goosebump

goosebump

/ˈɡuːs.bʌmp/
goose · bump
Plural:goosebumps
•
Adjective:goosebumpy
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goosebump Lexical Profile

goosebump Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

One of the small temporary bumps on the skin caused by involuntary contraction of tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles in response to cold, fear, or strong emotion; usually used in the plural to denote the condition itself.

Example

"The haunting melody of the solo violin gave everyone in the concert hall goosebumps."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for goosebump

Word Nuance & Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form ('goosebumps') to refer to the overall skin reaction or the accompanying emotional sensation.

• Nearby Words

goosander
goose
gooseberry
goosebump
goosebumps
goosefish
gooseflesh

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century as an American English variant of 'gooseflesh' or 'goose pimples', from the resemblance of chilled human skin to the bumpy skin of a plucked goose.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Goosebump. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/goosebump
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