clumping

Everyday

1. Walking with slow, heavy, noisy steps (clumping up the stairs). tree →
2. Gathering together into a tight group or lumps (wet flour clumping, trees clumping together). tree →
3. (noun «clump») A group of plants growing close together, or a lump of something. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it is a sound and movement word: heavy boots clumping on wooden floors, a giant clumping through the forest. In cooking and science, things clump together into lumps — flour, wet sand, cat litter. It tells the reader about heavy steps or things sticking together in groups.

Examples

• He came clumping down the stairs in his big boots. tree →
• The giant went clumping through the woods. tree →
• The wet sand kept clumping together. tree →
• Stir the flour well to stop it clumping. tree →
• Daffodils were growing in a clump by the gate. tree →
• The horses went clumping along the lane. tree →
• The cattle stood clumping together for warmth. tree →
• The Carl of the Drab Coat came bumping and stumping and clumping into the camp, and was surrounded by a multitude that adored him and hailed him with tears. tree →

Note

-ing form of the regular verb «clump». Similar sound words: «stomp», «clomp», «tramp». The noun «clump» is countable: a clump of grass, clumps of trees.