bounce

Bounce is defined as to spring back, jump or move suddenly.

(verb)

An example of bounce is for a ball to come back after hitting a wall.

The definition of a bounce is a leap, jump or a spring back.

(noun)

An example of a bounce is the action a ball takes after you throw it down towards the floor.

See bounce in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb bounced, bouncing

Origin: ME bounsen, to thump; ? akin to Du bonzen & LowG bunsen, to thump, strike

intransitive verb

to spring back from a surface after striking it; rebound
to move suddenly; spring; jump: to bounce out of bed
☆ Slang to be returned to the payee by a bank as a worthless check, because of insufficient funds in the drawer's account

noun

1. a bouncing; rebound
2. a leap or jump
capacity for bouncing: the ball has lost its bounce
Brit. impudence; bluster
☆ Informal
1. energy, zest, etc.
2. the ability to regain one's spirit or optimism

Related Forms:

See bounce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb bounced bounced, bounc·ing, bounc·es

verb, intransitive

To rebound after having struck an object or a surface.
To move jerkily; bump: The car bounced over the potholes.
To bound: children bouncing into the room.
To be sent back by a bank as valueless: a check that bounced.
Baseball To hit a ground ball to an infielder: The batter bounced out to the shortstop.

verb, transitive

To cause to strike an object or a surface and rebound: bounce a ball on the sidewalk.
To present or propose for comment or approval. Often used with off: bounced a few ideas off my boss.
Slang
a. To expel by force.
b. To dismiss from employment. See Synonyms at dismiss.
To write (a check) on an overdrawn bank account.

noun