ricochet

American  

[rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-shet] / ˌrɪk əˈʃeɪ, ˈrɪk əˌʃeɪ, ˈrɪk əˌʃɛt /

noun

1. the motion of an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting from a surface one or more times as a result of a glancing blow.

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verb (used without object)

ricocheted, ricocheting, ricochetted, ricochetting

1. to move by rebounding or deflecting from a surface, as a projectile.

   Synonyms:

   glance, deflect, rebound

ricochet British  

/ ˈrɪkəˌʃeɪ, ˈrɪkəˌʃɛt /

verb

1. (intr) (esp of a bullet) to rebound from a surface or surfaces, usually with a characteristic whining or zipping sound

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noun

1. the motion or sound of a rebounding object, esp a bullet

2. an object, esp a bullet, that ricochets

Etymology

Origin of ricochet

First recorded in 1760–70; from French; further origin uncertain

Explanation

A projectile that bounces off another surface is said to ricochet. You missed when you threw your crumpled paper at the wastepaper basket. Instead, the paper ricocheted off the wall and hit your brother on the head. The battle was on! As a noun, ricochet refers to the rebound or to the object that ricochets. If someone shoots a bullet and it ricochets off a tree, you can survive the initial gunfire only to be caught by the ricochet. The word ricochet is from the French word of the same spelling. Because of its French origin, the word is still pronounced with the soft French "shay" sound at the end — not a hard "T."

Example Sentences

Mr. Kneale is host of the “What’s Bugging Me” podcast on Ricochet and author of “The Leadership Genius of Elon Musk.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Baldoni's team also briefly subpoenaed Swift, whose song "My Tears Ricochet" appears on the "It Ends With Us" soundtrack, though the subpoena was withdrawn earlier this month.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2025

Ricochet: David Bowie 1983, Denis O'Regan's deluxe box set including five books, signed and numbered prints, and exclusive vinyl, will soon be available to buy individually in unboxed collections.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2023

A midair collision in the ring last month between Paul and the wrestler Ricochet racked up another 26.5 million views across all platforms.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2023

Later after some showers we went to the Ricochet Lounge.

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• bounce back
• deflect