goose bumps

plural noun

: a roughness of the skin produced by erection of its papillae especially from cold, fear, or a sudden feeling of excitement

Examples of goose bumps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Image The Cement Garden By Ian McEwan The premise alone is goose bumps grim: After the death of their mother, four children decide to hide her body in a trunk of cement in their basement and fend for themselves rather than surrender to social workers and foster care. M.l. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 Every one of them is liable to give you goose bumps or knock your shoulders back. Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024 Every time her vocals seamlessly shifted from a keen voice, sharp as a blade, to a beautiful singing voice, the audience broke out in goose bumps, breath bated. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2024 After their opener, Maddie Musselman, twice a gold medalist, looked up into the crowd and felt goose bumps. Adam Kilgore, Washington Post, 27 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for goose bumps

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goose bumps was in 1933

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Cite this Entry

“Goose bumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goose%20bumps. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

goose bumps

plural noun
: a roughening of the skin caused especially from cold, fear, or a sudden feeling of excitement

Medical Definition

goose bumps

noun plural
: a roughness of the skin produced by erection of its papillae especially from cold, fear, or a sudden feeling of excitement

called also goose pimples

More from Merriam-Webster on goose bumps

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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