bounce
To change the direction of motion after hitting an obstacle.
Verb 4 meanings
To change the direction of motion after hitting an obstacle.
“The tennis ball bounced off the wall before coming to rest in the ditch.”
To move quickly up and then down (or vice versa), once or repeatedly.
“He bounces nervously on his chair.”
To cause to move quickly up and down, or back and forth, once or repeatedly.
“He bounced the child on his knee.”
To suggest or introduce (an idea, etc.) to (off or by) someone, in order to gain feedback.
“I'm meeting Bob later to bounce some ideas off him about the new product range.”
Noun 4 meanings
A change of direction of motion after hitting the ground or an obstacle.
A movement up and then down (or vice versa), once or repeatedly.
An email that returns to the sender because of a delivery failure.
A hypothetical event where a collapsing system, such as a universe in the Big Bounce theory, reaches a point of extreme density and then rebounds back into an expanding phase, essentially reversing the contraction due to quantum mechanical effects.
Etymology
From Middle English bounsen, bunsen (“to beat, thump”), cognate with Scots bunce, bonce (“to bounce”). Of uncertain origin. Perhaps imitative, related to bump, or related to Middle English bonchen (“to pound, beat”) and Dutch bonken (“to bump”).
Similar and opposite words
BOUNCE at a glance
BOUNCE has 6 letters and scores 10 points in Scrabble (B 3 + O 1 + U 1 + N 1 + C 3 + E 1) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #6,765 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with bounce
All rhymes- SINCE7
- ONCE6
- EXPERIENCE21
- CHANCE13
- PERFORMANCE20
- EVIDENCE14
- SCIENCE11
- CONFERENCE17
- DIFFERENCE19
- INSURANCE11
- DANCE8
- DISTANCE11
One letter away
- BOUNCY13
- POUNCE10
- JOUNCE15
- ROUNCE8
Keep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.