boomerang
[ boo-muh-rang ]
/ ˈbu məˌræŋ /
noun
verb (used without object)
to come back or return, as a boomerang.
to cause harm to the originator; backfire.
adjective
coming back, returning, or backfiring: the boomerang consequences of his lies.
Informal. of or noting a person who returns to his or her parents’ home or to a previous job after a period of living or working elsewhere: a boomerang kid; boomerang employees.
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Origin of boomerang
First recorded in 1820–30; from Dharuk būmariny
Words nearby boomerang
Boole's inequality, boom, boom-and-bust, boom box, boomer, boomerang, boomerang kid, Boomer State, boomie, boomkin, boomlet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for boomerang
British Dictionary definitions for boomerang
boomerang
/ (ˈbuːməˌræŋ) /
noun
a curved flat wooden missile of native Australians, which can be made to return to the thrower
an action or statement that recoils on its originator
verb
(intr) to recoil or return unexpectedly, causing harm to its originator; backfire
Word Origin for boomerang
C19: from a native Australian language
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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