somersault
5 synonyms for somersault, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A full 360-degree roll of the body, forwards or backwards, either in the air or on the ground, so the feet pass over the head.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use somersault
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
do a somersault
backward somersault
somersault through the air
Etymology
From an old French word for the same move, sombresault, which traces back through Occitan sobresalt to Latin suprā ("over") + saltus ("jump") — literally "an over-jump."
Full origin of somersault →Frequently asked questions
What does “somersault” mean?
The word “somersault” means a full 360-degree roll of the body, forwards or backwards, either in the air or on the ground, so the feet pass over the head. In plain terms, a head-over-heels flip of your whole body.
How do you pronounce “somersault”?
“Somersault” is pronounced SUH-muh-solt (/ˈsʌmɚˌsɔlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “somersault” in a sentence?
Here is “somersault” used in a sentence: “The gymnast landed the somersault without a wobble.”
What part of speech is “somersault”?
Depending on how it is used, “somersault” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “somersault” come from?
The word “somersault” comes from Latin. From an old French word for the same move, sombresault, which traces back through Occitan sobresalt to Latin suprā ("over") + saltus ("jump") — literally "an over-jump.".
How many meanings does “somersault” have?
“Somersault” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a full 360-degree roll of the body, forwards or backwards, either in the air or on the ground, so the feet pass over the head.
