boomerang

[ boo-muh-rang ]

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.

verb (used without object)

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

/ 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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of boomerang¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Dharuk būmariny

Word History and Origins

Origin of boomerang¹

C19: from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

If there's good news, it's that boomerang babies aren't entirely those who can't afford to live on their own.

From The Daily Beast

It would be one thing to attack her judicial philosophy, but attacks on her character as a Latina may well boomerang.

From The Daily Beast

Snakes were always killed with sticks, whilst birds were brought down with the wonderful boomerang.

From Project Gutenberg

The well-known instrument called the boomerang is Australian, and it is, perhaps, exclusively so.

From Project Gutenberg

Figure 114 is the Nubian sword, which in form exactly resembles the boomerang.

From Project Gutenberg

This much, all curved weapons of the boomerang form possess as a common property.

From Project Gutenberg

The New Zealander throws his pattoo-pattoo, and the Australian throws the dowak and the waddy, as well as his boomerang.

From Project Gutenberg