rebound
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to bounce back off a surface after hitting it.
v.to spring back or recoil from a surface or object following impact.
Simple“The tennis ball hit the wall and rebounded straight into his hands.”
In context“The bullet rebounded off the steel plating, fortunately missing the bystanders standing near the range entrance.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to improve or get better after a difficult time or a fall in value.
v.to recover in value, amount, or strength after a previous decline or setback.
Simple“The company's stock price rebounded quickly after the news of the new CEO.”
In context“Economists predict that the market will rebound by the second quarter, provided that consumer confidence remains stable despite the recent inflation spikes.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to catch the ball after a player tries to score but misses.
v.to gain possession of the ball after a missed shot attempt hits the rim or backboard.
Simple“He jumped high to rebound the ball and started a fast break.”
In context“The centre managed to rebound the ball consistently throughout the final quarter, denying the opposing team any second-chance points.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an increase or improvement after a period of being low or weak.
n.an instance of recovery in value, health, or performance following a decline.
Simple“Doctors were surprised by the patient's rapid rebound after the surgery.”
In context“The sudden rebound in housing prices caught many first-time buyers off guard, forcing them to reconsider their budgets.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.a new relationship started very soon after a breakup to feel better.
n.a romantic relationship entered into shortly after a previous one has ended, often as a coping mechanism.
Simple“He started dating her on the rebound, just two weeks after his wedding was cancelled.”
In context“Psychologists suggest that relationships formed on the rebound rarely last, as the individuals involved are often seeking distraction rather than genuine connection.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'on the rebound'.
Teacher's tipThis sense is very common in casual conversation; it can refer to the period of time or the new partner themselves.
“Rice played in Tzolis and his cross was only clawed away by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, with Saka on hand to covert the rebound.”
“Chilly nights will continue to feature over the weekend although daytime temperatures will rebound a little as high pressure tries to build - meaning less rain and more sunshine.”
From Old French rebondir.
see rebind
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.