bumpier

Bumpier is the comparative form of the adjective bumpy. It describes a surface, path, ride, or experience that has more bumps, irregularities, or jolts than another reference point. Bumpier conditions can apply to roads, trails, vehicles, or even situations described as more uneven or unsettled.

Etymology and related terms: Bumpier derives from bump (a protrusion or irregularity) with the comparative suffix -ier. The base adjective is bumpy, with the corresponding superlative bumpiest. Related terms include rougher, rough, uneven, and rocky. The opposite is smoother or more even.

Usage: Bumpier is used to compare two or more surfaces or experiences. Examples include: “The highway became bumpier after the weather,” and “The unpaved path grew bumpier as rain fell.” It is typically used as a predicate adjective (“The ride was bumpier today”) or within a noun phrase (“a bumpier route ahead”). For adverbial modification of a verb, English usually employs more bumpily or simply more bumpy rather than a direct adverb form of bumpier.

See also: Bumpy, Roughness, Road condition, Ride quality, Uneven terrain.