Word
gunshot
Phoneticsgun·shot, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡənˌʃɑt/
UK/ɡˈʌnʃɒt/
Definitions
01the sound or act of firing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the sound made when a gun is fired, or the act of firing it.
n. the act of discharging a firearm or the audible report produced by such a discharge.
“The sudden gunshot echoed through the quiet woods, scaring away the birds.”
“Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot followed by the sound of a vehicle accelerating rapidly away from the scene.”
02a bullet wound
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. an injury caused by a bullet from a gun.
n. an injury or wound resulting from being struck by a projectile fired from a firearm.
“The doctor treated a gunshot wound in the patient's shoulder.”
“The emergency room staff was placed on high alert after reports of multiple victims with gunshot injuries arriving by private transport.”
Synonyms
03range of a firearm
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the distance that a bullet can travel from a gun.
n. the effective range or distance to which a projectile can be propelled from a specific firearm.
“The soldiers stayed just out of gunshot to remain safe from the enemy.”
“The scouts maintained a position just beyond gunshot of the fortress walls to observe the gate without drawing fire.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gunshot” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Five individuals, who were all found with gunshot wounds, were taken to local hospitals.” “County police said officers discovered five people with gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories when they arrived.” Etymology
From gun + shot.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/gunshot