Clumped

The past tense and past participle of the verb 'clump', meaning to gather or form into a dense, compact mass or cluster. This can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts, describing a state where individual elements are joined together, often haphazardly. The degree of cohesion in a clumped formation can vary, ranging from loose aggregations to tightly packed formations. The term highlights a lack of uniformity or even distribution, emphasizing a concentrated rather than dispersed arrangement. The act of clumping can be triggered by various factors, including physical forces, chemical reactions, or simple aggregation over time. It signifies a departure from a previously more dispersed or evenly spread state.

Clumped meaning with examples

• After the heavy rain, the wet sand on the beach clumped together, making it difficult to walk. Little children found it fun, but it made it more difficult for dogs and adults to maneuver. The once granular beach now offered a new texture, as the particles lost definition. The natural phenomenon was a challenge.
• The students' notes, initially scattered across the desk, were quickly clumped into disorganized piles when the bell rang. When the teacher left the classroom it became a mess. The end of the class was not so neat. The lack of organization made it even harder to find all the notes.
• The chef observed how the flour had clumped together in the bottom of the bowl. He had to stir it with a whisk to break it up to make the recipe. The flour was past its expiry date and so did not absorb the water well. So, it was ruined, and the ingredients were wasted.
• During the drought, the dust from the fields clumped into small clouds, sometimes carried by the wind. The lack of rain meant that the particles that had been once spread across the fields, gathered up and moved towards each other. This reduced the visibility for the local farmers