somersault

American  

[suhm-er-sawlt] / ˈsʌm ərˌsɔlt /

Or somerset

noun

1. an acrobatic movement, either forward or backward, in which the body rolls end over end, making a complete revolution.

2. such a movement performed in the air as part of a dive, tumbling routine, etc.

3. a complete overturn or reversal, as of opinion.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to perform a somersault.

somersault British  

/ ˈsʌməˌsɔːlt /

noun

1. 1. a forward roll in which the head is placed on the ground and the trunk and legs are turned over it

   2. a similar roll in a backward direction

2. an acrobatic feat in which either of these rolls are performed in midair, as in diving or gymnastics

3. a complete reversal of opinion, policy, etc

---

verb

1. (intr) to perform a somersault

Etymology

Origin of somersault

1520–30; < Middle French sombresaut, alteration of sobresault; compare Old Provençal sobre over (< Latin super ), saut a leap (< Latin saltus )

Example Sentences

Lots of room for Nim to float and somersault and stand on her hands, and for Fred to dash and dive and for Selkie to swish splash the water through the Keyhole Rock.

From Literature

By the time I sat down to dinner, that happiness was doing somersaults of excitement in my stomach.

From Literature

By twelve, she could tuck her chin to her chest and throw herself forward, somersaulting in the wind.

From Literature

Adopting the moniker of Prince, the fleet-footed fighter entertained the masses with his leopard-print shorts and somersaults into the boxing ring.

From BBC

“But wait, you say, ‘I’ve seen them dance and somersault, and even bounce off walls.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bounce
• bound
• dive
• drop
• fall
• hop
• plummet
• skip
• surge
• take
• top
• vault