bounced; bouncing
2
: to cause to rebound or be reflected
bounce a ball
bounce a light ray off a reflector
3
4
: to issue (a check) drawn on an account with insufficient funds
5
: to present (something, such as an idea) to another person to elicit comments or to gain approval
—usually used with off
6
: to return (an email) to the sender with notification of failed delivery
Other potential authors proved simply too hard to reach. E-mails got bounced back, and many phone calls never went through.—
Clark Boyd
Clark Boyd1
: to rebound or reflect after striking a surface (such as the ground)
2
: to recover from a blow or a defeat quickly
—usually used with back
3
: to be returned by a bank because of insufficient funds in a checking account
His checks bounced.
4
a
: to leap suddenly : bound
b
: to walk with springing steps
5
: to hit a baseball so that it hits the ground before it reaches an infielder
6
of an email
: to return to the sender with notification of failed delivery
Gonzalez had the wrong addresses for the local executives, and his emails bounced back.—David Wenner
David Wenner7
: to go quickly and usually repeatedly from one place, situation, job, etc., to another
The story bounces from one parallel universe to the next …—Digby Diehl
Digby DiehlIn the past year, he's been the most visible rapper in the world, bouncing around the globe …—Christian Hoard
Christian Hoard
plural bounces
1
: the act or action of bouncing off the ground or another surface : a rebound off a surface
caught the ball on the second bounce
… his liner … to right-center took an odd bounce off the wall.—Rob Maaddi
Rob Maaddi2
: a sudden increase or improvement in rating or value
As Gore rode his post-convention bounce, the media started eyeballing Bush for signs of anxiety.—Michelle Cottle
Michelle Cottle3
: a lively or energetic quality : verve, liveliness
full of bounce and enthusiasm
still has plenty of bounce in his step
4
: bluster sense 3
In William II the bullying spirit has developed into bounce and swagger …—E. H. C. Oliphant
E. H. C. OliphantExamples of bounce in a Sentence
Verb
He was bouncing a tennis ball against the garage door.
bouncing the ball back and forth
The children love to bounce on the bed.
The winner bounced up and down with delight.
Her curls bounced as she jumped.
He bounced the baby on his knee.
She gave me a check for 20 dollars, but the check bounced, and I never got the money.
He bounced a 100-dollar check at the grocery store.
The store charges a $15 fee for a bounced check.
Noun
The ball took a high bounce over the shortstop's head.
He caught the ball on the first bounce.
a basketball that has lost all its bounce
The shampoo promises to give limp hair lots of bounce.
After the debates, she enjoyed a big bounce in the election polls.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Coach Dan Hurley, who won consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024, has the Huskies back in a familiar spot after they were bounced in the second round a year ago by eventual national champion Florida.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The Mets are banking on a bounce-back season from Williams, who is set to replace Diaz — now a Los Angeles Dodger — as their closer.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bounce
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
From rocket engines to bouncing a ball, a fish swimming, to children jumping on the trampoline, everything can be explained using this law.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Coach Dan Hurley, who won consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024, has the Huskies back in a familiar spot after they were bounced in the second round a year ago by eventual national champion Florida.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
Amid the bounce, Link, the chief investment strategist at Hightower Advisors, called out Truist Financial as one of her preferred plays.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The Mets are banking on a bounce-back season from Williams, who is set to replace Diaz — now a Los Angeles Dodger — as their closer.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bounce
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Bounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bounce. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bounce
1 of 2 verb
bounced; bouncing
1
a
: to cause to rebound
bounce a ball
b
: to spring back or up after striking a surface
2
: to remove from a place by force
3
: to recover quickly from a blow or defeat
bounced back after the loss
4
: to leap suddenly : bound
5
of a check
: to be returned by a bank because of lack of funds in a checking account
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