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)

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

Etymology

Origin of boomerang

First recorded in 1820–30; from Dharuk būmariny

Example Sentences

Store workers blow giant colorful bubbles and throw boomerangs around, while jingles from electric toys and whirls from their wheels mingle with the chatter of shoppers’ conversations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Poody is an example of a reborrowing or boomerang word, the OED said, meaning it had been borrowed from English into another language and then back again.

From BBC

In two games t,he lack of ambition to improve the team has boomeranged back and hit the club squarely between the eyes.

From BBC

Without the truce being extended by the 12 August deadline, tariffs could "boomerang" back up, US officials said.

From BBC

He accused the MoJ of "deliberately" setting up prison leavers "to fail" and "return like a boomerang".

From BBC