# pounce

/ˈpaʊns/ (US) · /pˈaʊns/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pounce
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a sudden, quick movement to grab or attack something. It is an old word for a quick jump or a fast attack.

For teachers: a sudden, quick, and forceful movement to seize or attack. Often used in historical or literary contexts to describe predatory behavior.

## Examples

- The cat made a quick pounce on the mouse.
- The predator made a silent pounce from the tall grass, catching its prey by surprise.
- The poet describes the eagle's pounce as a sudden, vertical strike that leaves the air momentarily still before the prey is secured.

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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.