Bullet: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in both everyday and technical conversations to refer to the small metal object shot from firearms.

• The police recovered the bullet from the scene.
• He found a bullet casing in the grass.

Used more often in technical or formal contexts to describe any object that is thrown, dropped, or shot in the air, not limited to firearms.

• The catapult launched a massive projectile.
• Scientists studied the projectile's trajectory.

Used in military or shooting sports contexts to refer to a unit of ammunition, can include the bullet, casing, powder, and primer.

• He fired a single round at the target.
• The soldiers were issued live rounds.

Refers specifically to a type of bullet used in shotguns but can also have a negative connotation in informal speech meaning a lazy person.

• He loaded a slug into his shotgun.
• Don't be such a slug; get up and help.

Often used in lists or documentation to denote individual items or points.

• Please see the bullets in the presentation for key points.
• Make sure to include at least three bullets in your summary.

Usually refers to a small round mark, often in the context of punctuation, patterns, or visual design.

• Place a dot at the end of each sentence.
• The dress was decorated with red and white dots.

Can refer to physical objects used to indicate or highlight something, or can mean a significant point or event.

• Use a permanent marker to label the boxes.
• Her graduation was a marker of her academic achievement.

Used to refer to something that shows or signals a particular condition or trend.

• The temperature gauge is an indicator of the engine's heat level.
• High employment rates are a positive economic indicator.

Dangerous projectile shot from a gun. Used when discussing firearms, ballistics, or violent incidents.

• The bullet hit the target.
• He was injured by a stray bullet.

Physical writing tool used for drawing attention to specific parts of text, often with bright colors. Also used metaphorically to indicate a specific point or goal.

• Use a marker to underline important sections.
• The event served as a marker for future progress.

Used to bring special attention to particular parts of text or information. Often employed in reading, studying, or presenting important details.

• Please highlight the key terms in the document.
• The report highlights the company's recent achievements.

Indicates extra importance or stress on particular words or parts of text to draw attention. Used in writing or speech to highlight key information.

• The emphasis in her speech was on the need for education.
• You should place emphasis on the main argument.