1 B1 neutral
To shake or squeeze a pillow or cushion so that it becomes full and rounded again
"She plumped up the pillows before the guests arrived to make the bedroom look inviting."
separable
plump up
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To make something soft fuller and rounder, or to become fuller and rounder
In plain English
To make a soft thing like a pillow or cushion bigger and puffier by hitting or shaking it
What does "plump up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To become or make fuller and rounder in shape, especially referring to skin, cheeks, or lips
"After a few weeks of good food and rest, her cheeks had plumped up noticeably."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something plump (rounded and full) by puffing it upward
Actually means
To make a soft thing like a pillow or cushion bigger and puffier by hitting or shaking it
Usage tip
Most commonly used with pillows, cushions, and similar soft objects. Can also refer to lips looking fuller (in cosmetic contexts) or cheeks becoming plumper. Occasionally used for people or animals gaining healthy weight in an approving way.
Words that pair with "plump up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pillow cushion lips cheeks duvet feathers
How to conjugate "plump up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plump up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plumps up
he/she/it
Past simple
plumped up
yesterday
Past participle
plumped up
have + pp
-ing form
plumping up
continuous
Hear "plump up" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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