noun
Uncommon
volley
VO-lee
Volley (noun) means a number of things, especially shots, insults, or questions, released or fired all at once. Example: “He fired off a volley of questions before she could answer the first.”
noun
1
A number of things, especially shots, insults, or questions, released or fired all at once.
"He fired off a volley of questions before she could answer the first."
2
In sports such as tennis or football, a shot in which the ball is hit before it touches the ground.
"She smashed a volley into the top corner of the net."
verb
1
To hit or strike a ball before it bounces.
"He volleyed the cross straight into the goal."
How to use volley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSeveral things released together (like shots or questions), or hitting a ball in the air before it bounces.
Common pairings
volley of shots
volley of abuse
hit a volley
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Word forms
- Plural
- volleys
- Third person singular
- volleys
- Past tense
- volleyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He fired off a _____ of questions before she could answer the first.
Etymology
From Middle French volée, "flight," ultimately from Latin volare, "to fly."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for volley
See all rhymes for volley →Frequently asked questions
What does “volley” mean?
The word “volley” means a number of things, especially shots, insults, or questions, released or fired all at once. In plain terms, several things released together (like shots or questions), or hitting a ball in the air before it bounces.
How do you pronounce “volley”?
“Volley” is pronounced VO-lee (/ˈvɑli/ in IPA).
How do you use “volley” in a sentence?
Here is “volley” used in a sentence: “He fired off a volley of questions before she could answer the first.”
What part of speech is “volley”?
Depending on how it is used, “volley” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “volley” come from?
The word “volley” comes from Latin. From Middle French volée, "flight," ultimately from Latin volare, "to fly.".
Is “volley” a common word?
“Volley” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “volley” have?
“Volley” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a number of things, especially shots, insults, or questions, released or fired all at once.
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