Bounce: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for situations where an object hits a surface and comes back, often used with balls and playful activities.

• The basketball bounced off the court.
• The children love to bounce on the trampoline.

Often used in sports, particularly basketball, to indicate recovering the ball after it hits the backboard or rim. Can also mean recovering from a difficult situation.

• The player expertly rebounded the ball.
• After facing many hardships, she finally rebounded and found success.

Typically used in contexts involving bullets or other fast-moving projectiles that hit and bounce off surfaces at unpredictable angles.

• The bullet ricocheted off the wall.
• The rock ricocheted across the water for several meters.

Used to describe a rapid, elastic movement, often upward or forward, and can also refer to a sudden jump in growth or activity.

• The cat sprang onto the countertop.
• Flowers spring to life in the springtime.

Informal or casual context, often used to mean leaving a place quickly.

• Let's bounce, this party is getting boring.
• I think it's time to bounce, we've been here too long.

Neutral or formal context, generally used when referring to leaving a specific place or situation, often with a sense of direction.

• Please exit the building calmly during the fire drill.
• She exited the highway at the next off-ramp.

General context, applicable in most situations where someone is going away from a place or situation.

• I have to leave now; it's getting late.
• They decided to leave the city for a quieter life in the countryside.

Legal or formal context, referring specifically to being forced to leave a property, usually by a landlord.

• The landlord decided to evict the tenants for not paying rent.
• They received a notice that they would be evicted if they didn't comply with the rules.

Use when something returns to a previous level or recovers from a drop, often quickly and energetically.

• The stock market will bounce back after the bad news.
• The ball bounced twice before stopping.

Use for a general rise in quantity or degree without any particular implication of speed or intention.

• The population of the city has increased over the years.
• She wants to increase her knowledge of English.

Use for a sudden and powerful upward movement, often unexpected and transient.

• There was a sudden surge in electricity demand during the heatwave.
• The crowd surged forward when the concert started.

Use when something is given extra help or made to go up, often intentionally or with effort.

• The new advertisement campaign gave a boost to our sales.
• Taking vitamins can boost your immune system.