Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of firing a gun or other projectile weapon: "Shooting" refers to the action of discharging a firearm, bow, or similar weapon.
   • The sport or practice of firing at targets with a gun, bow, etc.: It can also denote the competitive or recreational activity involving such firing.
   • The killing or wounding of a person by a bullet from a gun: This meaning refers specifically to an incident where someone is shot.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The sound of shooting could be heard from the distance. (The sound of guns being fired was audible from far away.)
  • He goes to a shooting range every weekend to practice. (He visits a place for target practice regularly.)
  • The shooting of the unarmed man sparked public outrage. (The incident where the man was shot caused widespread anger.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the shooting of": involved in the process of making (a film or photograph).
  • He was instrumental in the shooting of the documentary. (He played a key role during the filming of the documentary.)
• "Shooting pain": a sudden, sharp, and severe pain.
  • A shooting pain went down his leg. (He felt a sudden, sharp pain traveling along his leg.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shoot (verb): To fire a weapon or to take a photograph/film.
  • Do not shoot until you see the target clearly.
• Shooter (noun): A person who shoots, especially with a gun.
  • The police are searching for the shooter.

Synonyms

• Gunfire: The repeated firing of guns.
• Firing: The action of discharging a gun or other weapon.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Shoot up: To increase rapidly or to inject an illegal drug.
  • Prices have shot up this month. (Prices have increased very quickly.)
• Shoot down: To bring down (an aircraft) by shooting or to reject (an idea) forcefully.
  • The fighter jet was shot down over enemy territory. (The jet was destroyed by gunfire.)

Related Idioms

• Shoot from the hip: To speak or act impulsively without careful thought.
  • He has a tendency to shoot from the hip during meetings. (He often speaks impulsively.)
• Shoot the breeze: To chat casually about unimportant things.
  • We spent the afternoon just shooting the breeze. (We passed the time having a relaxed, casual conversation.)

Noun

1. killing someone by gunfire
   • when the shooting stopped there were three dead bodies
2. the act of firing a projectile
   • his shooting was slow but accurate