Dump — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈdəmp/

Meaning & Definition of Dump

Dump (verb)

  1. to let (something) fall in or as if in a heap or mass; also, to empty (a bag, box, etc.) so that its contents fall in or as if in a heap or mass
  2. to get rid of (something or someone) in an abrupt and often casual or careless way; often, informal, to end a romantic relationship with (someone)
  3. jettison

Dump (noun)

  1. an accumulation of refuse and discarded materials
  2. a place where such materials are dumped
  3. a quantity of reserve materials accumulated at one place

Dump (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to end a usually intimate relationship with

    "all of her friends were surprised at how she just dumped him"

    similar: blow off, break off (with), ditch, jilt, kiss off, leave, kiss good-bye
    related: brush (aside or off), cold-shoulder, cut, high-hat, slight, snub, abandon, desert, forsake, maroon, quit
    near: hook up (with), take, befriend, latch (on or onto)

  2. to get rid of as useless or unwanted

    "dump the trash on the curb and go back inside"

    similar: cashier, cast (off), chuck, deep-six, discard, ditch, eighty-six, exorcise, fling (off or away), jettison, junk, lay by, lose, pitch, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (off), throw away, throw out, toss, unload, dispose of, set aside
    related: abandon, abdicate, desert, forsake, dismiss, kick out, abolish, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extinguish, extirpate, liquidate, remove, root (out), stamp (out), wipe out
    near: adopt, embrace, take on, employ, use, utilize, hold, hold back, keep, retain

Dump (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place where discarded materials (as trash) are dumped

    "all of the used packaging eventually ends up in the dump"

    similar: landfill, sanitary landfill, tip (chiefly British)
    related: dustbin, dustheap, junkyard, kitchen midden, midden, transfer station, mess, pigpen, pigsty, sty

  2. a place where military arms are stored

    "a daring raid on the ammunition dump"

    similar: armory, arsenal, depot, magazine
    related: fort, fortress, stronghold, repository, storehouse, warehouse

  3. a dirty or messy place

    "his place is always a dump, so he almost never has people over"

    similar: hellhole, hole, pigpen, pigsty, shambles, sty
    related: chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, disorganization, mess, muddle, muss, havoc, hell, mare's nest, snake pit, clutter, jumble, litter, mishmash, welter

Related Entry: Dump on (phrase)

Dump on is a different word from Dump. The synonyms below are for dump on, not for dump.

  1. to express scornfully one's low opinion of

    "Please stop dumping on your coworkers behind their backs."

    similar: bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (slang), discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off
    related: discommend, abuse, scold, disapprove (of), dislike, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate, asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify, discredit, disgrace
    opposite: acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol, glorify, laud, magnify, praise
    near: approve, countenance, endorse, favor, recommend, sanction, commend, compliment, eulogize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dump

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dump:

Chiefly British: tip
blow off, break off (with), ditch, jilt, kiss off, leave, cashier, cast (off), chuck, deep-six, discard, eighty-six, exorcise, fling (off or away), jettison, junk, lay by, lose, pitch, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (off), throw away, throw out, toss, unload, kiss good-bye, dispose of, set aside, landfill, sanitary landfill, armory, arsenal, depot, magazine, hellhole, hole, pigpen

Related Words for Dump

brush (aside or off), cold-shoulder, cut, high-hat, slight, snub, abandon, desert, forsake, maroon, quit, abdicate, dismiss, kick out, abolish, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extinguish, extirpate, liquidate, remove, root (out), stamp (out), wipe out, dustbin, dustheap, junkyard

Near Antonyms of Dump

hook up (with), take, befriend, latch (on or onto), adopt, embrace, take on, employ, use, utilize, hold, hold back, keep, retain

Word Forms of Dump

Inflections: dumped, dumping, dumps

Origin & Etymology of Dump

perhaps from Middle Dutch dompen to immerse, topple; akin to Old Norse dumpa to thump, fall suddenly

First known use: 1784t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dump

Words & Phrases Containing Dump

dump on, dump truck, brain dump, take a dump, toxic (waste) dump, drop/dump (something) in/into/on someone's lap, rubbish tip/dump

Frequently Asked Questions about Dump

What does "Dump" mean?

"Dump" means to let (something) fall in or as if in a heap or mass; also, to empty (a bag, box, etc.) so that its contents fall in or as if in a heap or mass. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to let (something) fall in or as if in a heap or mass; also, to empty (a bag, box, etc.) so that its contents fall in or as if in a heap or mass. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dump"?

Other words for "Dump" include blow off, break off (with), ditch, jilt, kiss off, leave, cashier and cast (off). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dump" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dump"?

There are 101 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dump". Common alternatives include blow off, break off (with), ditch, jilt, kiss off, leave, cashier, cast (off), chuck and deep-six.

How do you use "Dump" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dump" in a sentence: "all of her friends were surprised at how she just dumped him"; "dump the trash on the curb and go back inside"; "all of the used packaging eventually ends up in the dump".

Is "Dump" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dump" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Dump" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Dump" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Dump"?

"Dump" is pronounced /ˈdəmp/.

What is the origin of the word "Dump"?

"Dump" comes from perhaps from Middle Dutch dompen to immerse, topple; akin to Old Norse dumpa to thump, fall suddenly. First known use: 1784t.