hump day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal, colloquial, primarily spoken
Quick answer
What does “hump day” mean?
The middle of the working week, Wednesday.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The middle of the working week, Wednesday.
A point in the week where the hardest part (the 'hump') has been passed and the weekend is in sight; used humorously to mark a minor milestone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties. It originated and is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Same humorous, informal connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequently used in US media and corporate/casual office culture. In the UK, it is widely understood but may be perceived as an Americanism.
Grammar
How to Use “hump day” in a Sentence
It's [hump day].Happy [hump day]!We're over the [hump day].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hump day” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- She sent a hump day meme to the group chat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in internal casual communications to boost morale (e.g., 'Happy hump day, team!').
Academic
Very rare; not used in formal writing.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation, social media posts, and memes about the workweek.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hump day”
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (e.g., 'Hump Day'), though common in social media graphics, it's not standard. Using it in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial.
Yes, though it originated with the workweek, it can humorously refer to the middle of any repetitive or challenging cycle.
No, the 'hump' refers to a hill or obstacle, not anything vulgar. It is universally considered light-hearted and inoffensive.
It depends on your workplace culture. In many modern, informal offices it's acceptable, but in very formal settings it might be seen as too casual.
The middle of the working week, Wednesday.
Hump day: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌmp deɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhəmp deɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Over the hump”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a camel's hump in the middle of the week. Getting over it means the weekend is downhill.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEEK IS A JOURNEY WITH AN OBSTACLE (HUMP) IN THE MIDDLE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'hump day' be LEAST appropriate?