noun
boomerang
BOO-muh-rang
Boomerang (noun) means a curved throwing stick, traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians, that can be made to fly in a circular path and return to the thrower. Example: “He practiced for weeks before his boomerang finally came back to him.”
noun
1
A curved throwing stick, traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians, that can be made to fly in a circular path and return to the thrower.
"He practiced for weeks before his boomerang finally came back to him."
verb
1
To come back unexpectedly, especially with an undesired effect; to backfire.
"In the opening, Pawn-grabbing expeditions or premature mating attacks are apt to boomerang."
— I. A. Horowitz, How to Win in the Opening (1949)
"Her harsh comment boomeranged back on her when the truth came out."
"Our future economic success depends on the economy growing faster than government spending. That's why raising taxes would boomerang. Economic growth would slow, revenues would decline, and the budget deficit would swell."
— Ronald Reagan, Presidential Radio Address (1985)
How to use boomerang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA curved throwing weapon designed to return to the thrower, or, figuratively, something that comes back to affect its source.
Common pairings
boomerang effect
boomerang kid
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Word forms
- Plural
- boomerangs
- Third person singular
- boomerangs
- Past tense
- boomeranged
Fill the gap
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He practiced for weeks before his _____ finally came back to him.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, but likely from an Aboriginal Australian language; early English spellings of the word appear from around 1790.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “boomerang” mean?
The word “boomerang” means a curved throwing stick, traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians, that can be made to fly in a circular path and return to the thrower. In plain terms, a curved throwing weapon designed to return to the thrower, or, figuratively, something that comes back to affect its source.
How do you pronounce “boomerang”?
“Boomerang” is pronounced BOO-muh-rang (/ˈbuːməɹæŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “boomerang” in a sentence?
Here is “boomerang” used in a sentence: “He practiced for weeks before his boomerang finally came back to him.”
What part of speech is “boomerang”?
Depending on how it is used, “boomerang” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “boomerang” come from?
The word “boomerang” dates back to around 1790. Origin uncertain, but likely from an Aboriginal Australian language; early English spellings of the word appear from around 1790.
How many meanings does “boomerang” have?
“Boomerang” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curved throwing stick, traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians, that can be made to fly in a circular path and return to the thrower.
