noun
ricochet
RIHK-uh-shay
Ricochet (noun) means the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it. Example: “The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
noun
1
The action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.
"The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall."
verb
1
To bounce or glance off a surface, often changing direction unpredictably.
"The bullet ricocheted off the metal railing."
"The puck ricocheted off the boards and into the net."
How to use ricochet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.
Common pairings
ricochet off the wall
stray ricochet
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Word forms
- Plural
- ricochets
- Third person singular
- ricochets
- Past tense
- ricocheted, ricochetted
Fill the gap
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The stray bullet was a _____ off the concrete wall.
Etymology
Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ricochet
See all rhymes for ricochet →Frequently asked questions
What does “ricochet” mean?
The word “ricochet” means the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it. In plain terms, a bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.
How do you pronounce “ricochet”?
“Ricochet” is pronounced RIHK-uh-shay (/ˈɹɪk.ə.ʃeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ricochet” in a sentence?
Here is “ricochet” used in a sentence: “The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
What part of speech is “ricochet”?
Depending on how it is used, “ricochet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ricochet” come from?
The word “ricochet” comes from French. Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
How many meanings does “ricochet” have?
“Ricochet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.
