# gun

/ˈɡən/ (US) · /ɡˈʌn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gun
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a weapon

noun · CEFR A2

a weapon that shoots bullets or shells, such as a pistol or a rifle.

For teachers: a weapon consisting of a metal tube from which projectiles are discharged by explosive force or other stored energy.

- The police officer carried a gun on his belt for protection.
- The treaty strictly regulated the calibre of guns permitted on naval vessels patrolling the neutral zone.

### 2. a tool

noun · CEFR B1

a tool that you hold and use with a trigger, like a tool for hot glue or painting.

For teachers: a device operated by a trigger that resembles a firearm in shape or mechanical action.

- He used a glue gun to fix the broken handle of the mug.
- The technician used a high-pressure spray gun to apply an even coat of sealant to the aircraft's fuselage.

### 3. biceps

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang · Humorous

a slang word for strong arm muscles.

For teachers: a metonymic reference to well-developed biceps muscles.

- He has been spending a lot of time at the gym showing off his guns.
- The bodybuilder struck a pose that highlighted his guns, much to the delight of the gathered crowd.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form.

### 4. an expert

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal · Dialect

someone who is very good or skilled at a particular job or activity.

For teachers: an individual of notable skill or prominence in a specific field.

- They hired a young gun from the city to manage the new marketing project.
- The firm brought in a hired gun to navigate the complex legal challenges of the merger.

Teaching tip: Common in Australian English and business contexts to describe a high-performer.

### 5. to accelerate

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make an engine go much faster very quickly.

For teachers: to increase the speed of an engine or vehicle suddenly and forcefully.

- He gunned the engine and the car sped away from the lights.
- The driver gunned the motor, sending a cloud of exhaust into the air as the vehicle roared up the steep incline.

### 6. to target someone

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to try very hard to get something or to defeat someone.

For teachers: to pursue a goal or target an opponent with intense focus or aggression.

- The other teams are all gunning for the champion this year.
- After the scandal broke, several rival politicians began gunning for the minister's resignation.

Usage: Usually used with the preposition 'for'.

## Examples

- The police officer carries a gun for safety.
- The hunter cleaned his gun carefully before heading out into the woods for the start of the season.
- Historians often debate how the widespread availability of the gun transformed social structures by shifting the balance of power away from traditional armored cavalry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.