noun
Common
comeback
KUHM-bak
Comeback (noun) means a return to success or popularity after a period of decline or absence. Example: “After years away, the old band announced a comeback tour.”
noun
1
A return to success or popularity after a period of decline or absence.
"After years away, the old band announced a comeback tour."
"Vinyl records are making a comeback among young listeners."
"The singer made a stunning comeback with her fifth album."
2
A quick, witty reply, especially to an insult.
"I thought of the perfect comeback an hour after the argument."
"His sharp comeback made the whole room laugh."
"She didn't have a comeback ready, so she just laughed it off."
3
A sports team or athlete's recovery from a significant deficit to win or tie a game.
"Down by ten points at half-time, the home side completed a famous comeback."
"The tennis player's comeback from two sets down thrilled the crowd."
"The team staged a remarkable comeback, scoring three goals in the final ten minutes."
How to use comeback
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA return to form after falling behind or fading from view — in careers, arguments, or sports.
Common pairings
stage a comeback
quick comeback
career comeback
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Word forms
- Plural
- comebacks
Fill the gap
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After years away, the old band announced a _____ tour.
Etymology
Formed from the phrase "come back," turned into a single noun.
Related words
Rhymes for comeback
See all rhymes for comeback →Frequently asked questions
What does “comeback” mean?
The word “comeback” means a return to success or popularity after a period of decline or absence. In plain terms, a return to form after falling behind or fading from view — in careers, arguments, or sports.
How do you pronounce “comeback”?
“Comeback” is pronounced KUHM-bak (/ˈkʌmbæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “comeback” in a sentence?
Here is “comeback” used in a sentence: “The singer made a stunning comeback with her fifth album.”
What part of speech is “comeback”?
“Comeback” is a noun.
Is “comeback” a common word?
“Comeback” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “comeback” have?
“Comeback” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a return to success or popularity after a period of decline or absence.
Is comeback one word or two?
The noun is one word: "The band made a comeback." The verb is two words: "The band will come back next year." Writing "comeback" where the verb is needed, as in "she will comeback," is a common error.
What is the difference between a comeback and a retort?
Both are quick replies, but a comeback is specifically a witty reply, often made in response to an insult, and the word is informal. A retort is a sharp or angry reply and belongs to a slightly more formal register.
What counts as a comeback in sport?
In sport, a comeback is a team's or athlete's recovery from a significant deficit to win or tie a game. The word is also used when an athlete returns to competition after injury or retirement, matching its general sense of a return to success after absence.
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