goose bumps: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “goose bumps” mean?
The temporary, tiny raised bumps on a person's skin, caused by cold or fear, where each hair follicle stands up.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The temporary, tiny raised bumps on a person's skin, caused by cold or fear, where each hair follicle stands up.
The physical reaction of the skin to strong emotions such as fear, awe, or excitement, or to cold temperatures, caused by the contraction of small muscles at the base of hair follicles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'goose pimples' is a common and accepted alternative, often considered equally standard. 'Goose bumps' is also widely understood and used. In American English, 'goose bumps' is the dominant, almost exclusive term.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation between the variants.
Frequency
In the UK, 'goose pimples' has historically been more frequent, but 'goose bumps' is increasingly common, likely due to American media influence. In the US, 'goose bumps' is virtually universal.
Grammar
How to Use “goose bumps” in a Sentence
[Subject] gets/has goose bumps[Stimulus] gives [Indirect Object] goose bumpsGoose bumps appeared on [Possessive] armsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “goose bumps” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cold wind made her skin goose-pimple.
- I always goose-pimple during that ghost story.
American English
- The eerie music goose-bumped my arms. (informal/rare)
adjective
British English
- She had goose-pimply skin after the swim. (informal)
American English
- His goose-bump-inducing tale scared the children. (informal)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical use: 'The CEO's announcement gave investors goose bumps.'
Academic
Used in psychology, physiology, and literary analysis (e.g., describing a character's reaction).
Everyday
Very common for describing reactions to cold, scary movies, or beautiful music.
Technical
The medical/biological term is 'cutis anserina' or 'horripilation'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “goose bumps”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “goose bumps”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goose bumps”
- Misspelling as 'goosebumps' (while common, the standard dictionary form is two words). Using it as a verb incorrectly: 'I goose bumped' (use 'I got goose bumps').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they refer to the same physiological reaction. 'Goose bumps' is more common in American English, while 'goose pimples' is a common variant in British English.
Absolutely. While often linked to fear or cold, goose bumps are a common physical response to any strong emotion, including awe, excitement, or being deeply moved by music or art.
In informal writing, 'goosebumps' as a single word is frequently seen and widely understood. However, most standard dictionaries and formal writing still list it as two separate words: 'goose bumps'.
The scientific terms are 'horripilation' or 'cutis anserina'. The reaction is caused by the contraction of tiny muscles called arrector pili attached to hair follicles.
The temporary, tiny raised bumps on a person's skin, caused by cold or fear, where each hair follicle stands up.
Goose bumps is usually neutral to informal in register.
Goose bumps: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːs bʌmps/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːs bʌmps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It gave me goose bumps.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a goose whose feathers are plucked — the skin is left with tiny bumps where the feathers were. Your skin looks similar when it's cold or you're scared!
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/COLD IS A PHYSICAL FORCE AFFECTING THE BODY'S SURFACE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary cause of goose bumps?