ricochet
Ricochet (noun) means the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it. Example: “The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
How to Use Ricochet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.
Word Forms
ricocheted past tense, ricochetted past tense, ricochets plural, ricochets singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The stray bullet was a _____ off the concrete wall.
Etymology
Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
Related Words
Rhymes for ricochet
See all rhymes for ricochet →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ricochet” mean?
The word “ricochet” means the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it. In plain terms, a bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.
How do you pronounce “ricochet”?
“Ricochet” is pronounced RIHK-uh-shay (/ˈɹɪk.ə.ʃeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ricochet” in a sentence?
Here is “ricochet” used in a sentence: “The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
What part of speech is “ricochet”?
Depending on how it is used, “ricochet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ricochet” come from?
The word “ricochet” comes from French. Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
How many meanings does “ricochet” have?
“Ricochet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.