verb B1 Intermediate Common

bounce

bowns

Bounce (verb) means to spring back after hitting a surface, or to move up and down repeatedly. Example: “The ball bounced off the wall and rolled under the sofa.”

verb

To spring back after hitting a surface, or to move up and down repeatedly.

"The ball bounced off the wall and rolled under the sofa."

"The kids were bouncing on the trampoline for hours."

Of a cheque or payment: to be rejected by a bank because there isn't enough money in the account.

"His rent cheque bounced twice that year."

To try an idea out on someone to get their reaction.

"Let me bounce this idea off you before the meeting."

noun

A rebound, or the quality of springing back easily.

"The new mattress has a lot of bounce to it."

How to use bounce

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo spring back off a surface; also used for a cheque that fails to clear, or for testing an idea on someone.

Common mistake

In email, a "bounced" message is one that failed to deliver — this is a separate, common tech usage.

Common pairings

bounce off bounce a cheque bounce an idea off someone

Word forms

bounced past tense, bounces plural, bounces singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ball _____ off the wall and rolled under the sofa.

Etymology

From Middle English bounsen, "to beat or thump," likely imitative of the sound of something striking a surface.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

rebound ricochet spring bound recoil bob

Related words

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Rhymes for bounce

dunce ounce pounce announce denounce renounce pronounce

See all rhymes for bounce →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bounce” mean?

The word “bounce” means to spring back after hitting a surface, or to move up and down repeatedly. In plain terms, to spring back off a surface; also used for a cheque that fails to clear, or for testing an idea on someone.

How do you pronounce “bounce”?

“Bounce” is pronounced bowns (/baʊns/ in IPA).

How do you use “bounce” in a sentence?

Here is “bounce” used in a sentence: “The ball bounced off the wall and rolled under the sofa.”

What part of speech is “bounce”?

Depending on how it is used, “bounce” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “bounce” come from?

The word “bounce” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bounsen, "to beat or thump," likely imitative of the sound of something striking a surface.

Is “bounce” a common word?

“Bounce” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “bounce” have?

“Bounce” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spring back after hitting a surface, or to move up and down repeatedly.

What is the difference between bounce and rebound?

Both describe springing back after hitting a surface, but bounce is the everyday word and can also describe repeated up-and-down movement. Rebound is slightly more formal or technical and usually describes a single deflection, as in sport or physics. Figuratively, people "bounce back" from setbacks, while prices and players "rebound."

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