noun

ricochet

RIHK-uh-shay

noun

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishA bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.

Common pairings

ricochet off the wall stray ricochet

ricocheted past tense, ricochetted past tense, ricochets plural, ricochets singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The stray bullet was a _____ off the concrete wall.

Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.

crochet Pinochet