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Definition of bounce

bounce

/baʊns/
bounce

Plural:bounces
•
Adjective:bouncy
•
Past Simple:bounced
•
Past Participle:bounced
•
Present Participle:bouncing
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bounce Lexical Profile

bounce Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To rebound or cause to rebound from a surface after hitting it.

Example

"The basketball bounced off the rim before falling neatly through the net."


2

To move up and down repeatedly in a lively, energetic, or springy manner.

Example

"The excited children bounced up and down on the sofa while waiting for their guests to arrive."


3

To be returned by a bank as unpaid due to insufficient funds in the drawer's account, or to fail to reach an intended digital recipient (especially of a financial check or email).

Example

"The landlord charged a penalty fee because the tenant's rent check bounced."


4

To eject someone forcibly from a venue or dismiss someone abruptly from a position (informal).

Example

"Security guards quickly bounced the unruly patrons from the concert hall."


5

American To leave or depart from a place quickly (slang).

Example

"It is getting late, so we should probably bounce before the traffic gets worse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A rebound of an object or person from a surface, or the capacity of a surface or object to spring back.

Example

"The tennis player adjusted her swing to account for the high bounce on the clay court."


2

Vibrant energy, liveliness, or springiness in movement, character, or appearance.

Example

"After receiving the good news, he walked down the hallway with an unmistakable bounce in his step."


3

A sudden, temporary increase or recovery in value, activity, or popularity, such as in financial markets or political polling.

Example

"The candidate enjoyed a noticeable bounce in approval ratings immediately following the convention."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for bounce

• Rhymes for bounce

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating from Middle English 'bunsen', meaning to beat or thump, likely of imitative origin or borrowed from Middle Low German 'bunsen' (to beat, knock).

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bounce. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bounce
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