verb
Uncommon
recoil
REE-koyl
Recoil (verb) means to jerk or pull back suddenly, especially from fear, disgust, or shock. Example: “She recoiled at the sight of the spider.”
verb
1
To jerk or pull back suddenly, especially from fear, disgust, or shock.
"She recoiled at the sight of the spider."
"He recoiled in horror when he heard the news."
noun
1
The backward kick of a gun when it is fired.
"The rifle's recoil bruised his shoulder."
2
A sudden backward movement or a shrinking away.
"There was a visible recoil in her expression when he mentioned the accident."
How to use recoil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo jump or spring backward, whether physically (a gun) or emotionally (from shock or disgust).
Common pairings
recoil in horror
recoil from
gun recoil
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Word forms
- Plural
- recoils
- Third person singular
- recoils
- Past tense
- recoiled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ at the sight of the spider.
Etymology
From Old French reculer, "to move back," from re- plus a Latin root related to culus — literally suggesting retreating "rear-first."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for recoil
See all rhymes for recoil →Frequently asked questions
What does “recoil” mean?
The word “recoil” means to jerk or pull back suddenly, especially from fear, disgust, or shock. In plain terms, to jump or spring backward, whether physically (a gun) or emotionally (from shock or disgust).
How do you pronounce “recoil”?
“Recoil” is pronounced REE-koyl (/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “recoil” in a sentence?
Here is “recoil” used in a sentence: “She recoiled at the sight of the spider.”
What is another word for “recoil”?
Words with a similar meaning to “recoil” include kick.
What part of speech is “recoil”?
Depending on how it is used, “recoil” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “recoil” come from?
The word “recoil” comes from Latin. From Old French reculer, "to move back," from re- plus a Latin root related to culus — literally suggesting retreating "rear-first.".
Is “recoil” a common word?
“Recoil” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “recoil” have?
“Recoil” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to jerk or pull back suddenly, especially from fear, disgust, or shock.
