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Definition of somersault

somersault

/ˈsʌm.ɚ.sɔːlt/
som · er · sault
Plural:somersaults
•
Past Simple:somersaulted
•
Past Participle:somersaulted
•
Present Participle:somersaulting
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somersault Lexical Profile

somersault Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An acrobatic movement in which a person turns head over heels in the air or on the ground and lands or finishes on their feet.

Example

"The gymnast completed a flawless double somersault before landing squarely on the mat."

2

A sudden, complete reversal of opinions, plans, or principles.

Example

"The committee performed a political somersault by endorsing the very proposal it had rejected last month."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To perform an acrobatic movement by turning head over heels in the air or on the ground.

Example

"The children somersaulted down the grassy hill all afternoon."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for somersault

• Nearby Words

somehow
someone
someplace
somersault
somersby
somersby falls
somerset

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French soubresaut, from Old Occitan sobresaut, combining Latin super ('above' or 'over') and saltus ('a leap').

Cite this Entry

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