Meaning & use
I'm pumped
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformalslang
I am very excited and full of energy, especially about something that is going to happen.
Grammar: A fixed phrase used as a complete sentence; 'pumped' is an adjective here, often followed by 'up' or 'about'.
Patterns
- be pumped
- be pumped up
- be pumped about something
I'm pumped for the concert tonight!
She was pumped up before the race.
We're all pumped about the team making it to the finals.
Common combinations
- pumped up
- He was really pumped up before the game.
- pumped about something
- I'm so pumped about the new season of that show.
- pumped for something
- They're pumped for the party this weekend.
Synonyms and how they differ
- excited
- More general and standard; it can be used in any context, while 'pumped' is informal.
- thrilled
- Means very pleased and excited; it is more formal than 'pumped'.
- psyched
- Very similar in informal use, especially American English; it also means excited and ready.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses 'pumped' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Pumped' means excited and ready, so 'I can't wait' fits. Option An is wrong because being nervous is not the same as being excited. Options C and D are grammatically wrong because 'pumped' is not a verb of motion or action here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “I'm pumped”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.