Bounciness: meaning, definitions and examples

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bounciness

 

[ ˈbaʊnsi.nəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physical properties

Bounciness refers to the ability of an object to bounce back after being compressed or depressed. It is a characteristic commonly associated with elastic materials like rubber. Higher bounciness indicates that the material retains its shape and energy after force is applied.

Synonyms

elasticity, resilience, springiness.

Examples of usage

  • The bounciness of the rubber ball made it fun to play with.
  • Children love the bounciness of the trampoline.
  • The bounciness of the material affected the performance of the sports equipment.

Etymology

The word 'bounciness' comes from the verb 'bounce,' which has its roots in the early 16th century. 'Bounce' is believed to stem from the Middle English 'bouncen,' which means to rebound or spring back. This term likely has origins in the Old French 'boncer,' meaning to strike or hit. The suffix '-ness' is a common English addition that forms nouns indicating a state or quality. Thus, 'bounciness' combines the action of bouncing with the state of being, highlighting the quality of the bounce in various contexts. As bounciness is often associated with childhood play and physical activities, it has an evolving usage in sports and material science, illustrating an interplay between language development and physical characteristics throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,949, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.