gun
gun Lexical Profile
gun Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A weapon consisting of a metal tube from which projectiles are fired at high speed, typically propelled by an explosive charge.
"The museum featured an extensive exhibit on the historical evolution of the gun."
A tool or device designed to discharge a substance or object rapidly under pressure.
"The carpenter used a pneumatic nail gun to quickly secure the wooden framing."
A starting pistol or similar device used to signal the beginning of an athletic race.
"The sprinters exploded off the starting blocks the moment they heard the gun."
• verb
To accelerate the engine of a vehicle rapidly by forcefully pressing the throttle.
"The impatient driver decided to gun the engine as soon as the traffic light turned green."
To shoot or strike with a firearm (often used with 'down').
"In the classic Western film, the brave sheriff was forced to gun down the notorious outlaw."
To aggressively pursue or seek a specific goal, outcome, or position (used with 'for').
"After finishing her advanced degree, she is now gunning for a senior management position."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a verb, 'gun' frequently appears in idiomatic phrasal verbs, such as 'gunning for' to denote aggressively pursuing a goal, or 'gunning' an engine to mean rapid acceleration.
• Rhymes for gun
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'gonne' or 'gunne', which is believed to derive from the Scandinavian female name 'Gunnhildr' (meaning 'war-battle'), a name historically applied to heavy medieval siege engines.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.