gun
GUHN
Gun (noun) means a weapon that fires bullets or shells using an explosive charge, ranging from handguns to rifles and artillery. Example: “The old museum displays a gun from the nineteenth century behind thick glass.”
noun
1
A weapon that fires bullets or shells using an explosive charge, ranging from handguns to rifles and artillery.
"The old museum displays a gun from the nineteenth century behind thick glass."
"Police recovered the gun used in the robbery."
"The soldiers were trained to clean and maintain their guns daily."
2
A hand-held tool that shoots or sprays a substance, such as a glue gun, staple gun, or spray gun.
"She used a glue gun to attach the decorations to the wreath."
"The painter picked up a spray gun to cover the large fence quickly."
"He used a staple gun to fix the fabric to the frame."
3
Informal: a skilled or highly capable person, especially one hired for a specific job.
"The company brought in a hired gun to turn the failing project around."
"Our team needs a young gun who can fix the website quickly."
"He was the office's top gun when it came to spreadsheets."
verb
1
To press the accelerator hard, making an engine suddenly speed up.
"She gunned the motor and the little car shot up the hill."
"When the lights turned green, he gunned it and sped away."
"He gunned the engine and pulled out into traffic."
2
To be gunning for something/someone: to pursue a goal aggressively, or to specifically target someone.
"The two bakeries are gunning for the same award this year."
"She's been gunning for a promotion all year."
"Rival reporters were gunning for the minister after the leak."
How to use gun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a firearm, but also any hand tool that fires or sprays something, and informally a slang term for a skilled operator or a sudden burst of speed.
Common mistake
"Jump the gun" (act too early) and "gunning for" (aggressively pursuing) are idioms — they have nothing to do with literal firearms.
Common pairings
fire a gun
gun down
jump the gun
gun for something
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Word forms
- Plural
- guns
- Third person singular
- guns
- Past tense
- gunned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old museum displays a _____ from the nineteenth century behind thick glass.
Etymology
Traced to Middle English gunne, thought to derive from Gunnhild, a Norse female name once given as a nickname to siege engines and cannons — the name combines Old Norse words both meaning "battle".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “gun” mean?
The word “gun” means a weapon that fires bullets or shells using an explosive charge, ranging from handguns to rifles and artillery. In plain terms, most commonly a firearm, but also any hand tool that fires or sprays something, and informally a slang term for a skilled operator or a sudden burst of speed.
How do you pronounce “gun”?
“Gun” is pronounced GUHN (/ˈɡʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “gun” in a sentence?
Here is “gun” used in a sentence: “Police recovered the gun used in the robbery.”
What part of speech is “gun”?
Depending on how it is used, “gun” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gun” come from?
The word “gun” comes from Middle English. Traced to Middle English gunne, thought to derive from Gunnhild, a Norse female name once given as a nickname to siege engines and cannons — the name combines Old Norse words both meaning "battle".
Is “gun” a common word?
“Gun” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “gun” have?
“Gun” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a weapon that fires bullets or shells using an explosive charge, ranging from handguns to rifles and artillery.
What is the difference between a gun and a firearm?
Firearm is the formal, legal term for any portable weapon that fires a projectile using an explosion, such as pistols and rifles. Gun is the everyday word for the same thing, though in strict military use gun can also mean a large artillery piece rather than a handheld weapon.
What are the main types of guns?
Guns are usually grouped by size and use. Handguns like pistols and revolvers are small and held in one hand. Long guns include rifles and shotguns, fired from the shoulder. Larger mounted weapons such as cannons and artillery also count as guns in the broadest sense.
What is the difference between a gun and a rifle?
A rifle is one type of gun, so all rifles are guns but not all guns are rifles. A rifle has a long, spiral-grooved barrel for accuracy over distance and is fired from the shoulder. Gun is the general category covering rifles, pistols, shotguns, and more.
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