boomerang

American  

[boo-muh-rang] / ˈbu məˌræŋ /

noun

1. a bent or curved piece of tough wood used by Australian Aboriginal peoples as a throwing club, one form of which can be thrown so as to return to the thrower.

2. something, as a scheme or argument, that does injury to the originator.

3. Theater.

   1. a mobile platform, adjustable to different levels, for painting scenery.

   2. a batten, usually suspended vertically in the wings, for holding lighting units.

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verb (used without object)

boomerangs, present (3rd person singular) boomeranged, past participle, past boomeranging present participle

1. to come back or return, as a boomerang.

2. to cause harm to the originator; backfire.

adjective

1. coming back, returning, or backfiring.

   the boomerang consequences of his lies.

2. Informal. of or noting a person who returns to their parents’ home or to a previous job after a period of living or working elsewhere.

   a boomerang kid;

   boomerang employees.

boomerang British  

/ ˈbuːməˌræŋ /

noun

1. a curved flat wooden missile of native Australians, which can be made to return to the thrower

2. an action or statement that recoils on its originator

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verb

1. (intr) to recoil or return unexpectedly, causing harm to its originator; backfire

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have boomeranged
  perfect
• has boomeranged
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are boomeranging
  progressive
• am boomeranging
  progressive 1st person singular
• is boomeranging
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been boomeranging
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• boomerangs
  singular 3rd person
• boomeranging
  participle
• have been boomeranging
  perfect progressive

Past

• had boomeranged
  perfect
• had been boomeranging
  perfect progressive
• was boomeranging
  progressive singular
• boomeranged
  simple
• boomeranged
  participle
• were boomeranging
  progressive plural

Future

• will boomerang
  simple
• will have boomeranged
  perfect
• will be boomeranging
  progressive
• will have been boomeranging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of boomerang

First recorded in 1820–30; from Dharuk būmariny

Explanation

A boomerang is a curved piece of wood that returns to the thrower if tossed correctly. To boomerang is to bounce back to a previous position like a boomerang. This word comes whirling to us from an Australian language (Dharuk). The primary meaning is the curved stick that returns to its owner after being thrown. Not just anyone can make a boomerang return: it takes practice and skill. Because a boomerang returns to its original point, it’s also a verb for things that return. This is often used negatively for things you would rather not see again: if a lie boomerangs, it comes back to haunt you.

Example Sentences

The show also nods to Billie Eilish via the Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol featured in the season premiere.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Appeared in the March 13, 2026, print edition as 'The Gerrymander Boomerang in Virginia'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Players take on the role of the Suicide Squad - Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark and Captain Boomerang - four dangerous villains in the DC Comics universe.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2024

Using radiocarbon dating, fossils found in Boomerang Cave were shown to span the past 3,000 years, with the bulk from the last 1000 years or so.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

His voice was colder than the Boomerang Nebula.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson