Jumped-up

Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective

Meaning

(idiomatic, derogatory) Thinking or acting as if one is superior, as by pretending to be of a higher class or having greater authority than is the case..

Definitions by Sense

1. (idiomatic, derogatory) Thinking or acting as if one is superior, as by pretending to be of a higher class or having greater authority than is the case.
2. Having risen from a lowly station or an inferior position, often with a conceited or arrogant attitude.

Example Sentences

2007, Nov 27. Scott Murray, writing in Guardian Unlimited: "Stuttgart 3-2 Rangers" We're doomed if this wee jumped-up monkey gets Gordon Smith's blessing.

1895, Punch, or the London Charivari, 24 August, 1895, "'Arry on Harry", https://books.google.ca/books?id=S5kwAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22jumped-up+cheap+Coventry%22&source=gbs_navlinks_s You jumped-up, cheap, Coventry bagman, / silk-sampling, no doubt, is your biz

Well, you can have all my share of democracy. Between you and me, Gert, it's mainly a name for a lot of jumped-up ignoramuses who have no idea of how little they do know.

[…] the faithful service he gave was pearl cast before mean, gutless, brainless, up-jumped swine […]

[…] I'm damned if I'm going to be harried and put off my stroke by the ridiculous self-importance of a jumped-up pastry-cook.

"My good wife flatters them, to call them knights. They’re upjumped sellswords, with not a thimble of chivalry to be found amongst the four of them."

The man was an upjumped peasant with delusions of his own importance.

Synonyms for jumped-up

Antonyms for jumped-up

Related Words

Word Forms

• more jumped-up
• most jumped-up

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions