Definition

1. Noun:

   • The action of rebounding after hitting a surface: The quality of a springing movement upwards or forwards after an impact.
   • A sudden, light, upward movement: A single instance of bouncing.
   • Vitality or liveliness: Informal sense referring to energy or resilience in a person or thing.

2. Verb:

   • To spring back after hitting a surface: To move away quickly from a force or impact.
   • To move up and down repeatedly: To jump or cause to jump lightly on a springy surface.
   • To eject or expel someone forcibly: To refuse someone entry to a place and send them away.
   • To be returned by a bank: Of a check, to be refused payment due to insufficient funds.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The ball has a lot of bounce. (The ball rebounds with great energy.)
  • She walked with a bounce in her step. (She walked with a lively, springy step.)

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • The basketball will bounce on the court. (The basketball will rebound from the floor.)
  • My check might bounce if I don't deposit money. (My check may be returned unpaid by the bank.)

• Verb (Transitive):

  • Children love to bounce a ball. (Children love to make a ball rebound by throwing it down.)
  • The club can bounce anyone who causes trouble. (The club can forcibly eject anyone who causes trouble.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Bounce back": To recover quickly from a setback or illness.
  • She has great resilience and always manages to bounce back.
• "Bounce an idea off someone": To discuss an idea with someone to get their opinion.
  • Can I bounce this concept off you before the meeting?
• "Bounce around": To discuss or consider various ideas informally.
  • We spent the afternoon bouncing around different plans.

Variants and Related Words

• Bouncy (Adjective): Able to bounce; lively and energetic.
  • The bouncy castle was a hit at the party.
  • She has a very bouncy personality.
• Bouncer (Noun): A person employed to eject troublemakers from a venue.
  • The bouncer checked our IDs at the door.

Synonyms

• Rebound / Recoil (Verb): To spring back.
• Eject / Expel (Verb): To force someone to leave.
• Vitality / Energy (Noun): Liveliness.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bounce off: To rebound from a surface; also used metaphorically for discussing ideas.
  • The light bounces off the mirror.
  • Let me bounce a few names off you for the team.
• Bounce into: To force or pressure someone into doing something.
  • He was bounced into making a quick decision.

Related Idioms

• "Full of bounce": Very lively and energetic.
  • The puppy is full of bounce this morning.
• "Get the bounce" / "Give someone the bounce": (Informal) To be dismissed from a job or relationship / to dismiss someone.
  • He got the bounce from his job last week.

Noun

1. rebounding from an impact (or series of impacts)
2. a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
3. the quality of a substance that is able to rebound

Verb

1. eject from the premises
   • The ex-boxer's job is to bounce people who want to enter this private club
2. refuse to accept and send back
   • bounce a check
3. leap suddenly
   • He bounced to his feet
4. come back after being refused
   • the check bounced
5. move up and down repeatedly
6. hit something so that it bounces
   • bounce a ball
7. spring back; spring away from an impact
   • The rubber ball bounced
   • These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide