Gunshots: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when referring to the sound made by a gun being fired, typically in neutral or descriptive contexts.

• We heard gunshots coming from the alley.
• The police reported multiple gunshots at the scene.

Typically used to describe the act of guns being fired, often in the context of ongoing or multiple rounds being shot. It can imply a chaotic or war-like situation.

• The neighborhood was woken up by the sound of gunfire.
• There was heavy gunfire reported at the border.

A casual or colloquial term for gunfire. It can refer to singular or multiple rounds being fired and is often used in everyday conversation or reporting.

• Did you hear those shots?
• The suspect fired several shots before being apprehended.

This term is used to describe very loud and explosive gunfire, often used in more dramatic or intense situations.

• The movie featured intense gun blasts during the final showdown.
• The gun blasts echoed through the empty building.

Commonly used when referring to the sound of a firearm being discharged. It is a general term that can be used in various situations, from news reporting to everyday conversation.

• The neighborhood was awakened by the sound of gunshots in the middle of the night.
• Police are investigating a series of gunshots that were reported near the park.

Typically used to refer to a series of shots being fired, often in a combat or conflict situation. It implies continuous or repeated shooting rather than a single event.

• The sound of gunfire could be heard from the battlefield.
• Residents were advised to stay indoors as gunfire erupted in the downtown area.

A versatile word that can be used in various contexts related to the discharge of firearms. It is less formal and can refer to one or multiple firings.

• She heard two shots ring out while walking home.
• The hunters fired several shots into the air.

Used to describe a louder, more explosive sound of a firearm, usually from a heavier or more powerful type of gun. It often implies a single, significant event and can be more dramatic.

• The soldier was knocked down by the sheer force of the gun blasts.
• The sound of gun blasts echoed through the canyon.