# rebound

/ɹiˈbaʊnd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rebound
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to bounce back

verb · CEFR B2

to bounce back off a surface after hitting it.

For teachers: to spring back or recoil from a surface or object following impact.

- The tennis ball hit the wall and rebounded straight into his hands.
- The bullet rebounded off the steel plating, fortunately missing the bystanders standing near the range entrance.

### 2. to recover

verb · CEFR B2

to improve or get better after a difficult time or a fall in value.

For teachers: to recover in value, amount, or strength after a previous decline or setback.

- The company's stock price rebounded quickly after the news of the new CEO.
- Economists predict that the market will rebound by the second quarter, provided that consumer confidence remains stable despite the recent inflation spikes.

### 3. basketball

verb · CEFR B2

to catch the ball after a player tries to score but misses.

For teachers: to gain possession of the ball after a missed shot attempt hits the rim or backboard.

- He jumped high to rebound the ball and started a fast break.
- The centre managed to rebound the ball consistently throughout the final quarter, denying the opposing team any second-chance points.

### 4. recovery

noun · CEFR B2

an increase or improvement after a period of being low or weak.

For teachers: an instance of recovery in value, health, or performance following a decline.

- Doctors were surprised by the patient's rapid rebound after the surgery.
- The sudden rebound in housing prices caught many first-time buyers off guard, forcing them to reconsider their budgets.

### 5. after a breakup

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a new relationship started very soon after a breakup to feel better.

For teachers: a romantic relationship entered into shortly after a previous one has ended, often as a coping mechanism.

- He started dating her on the rebound, just two weeks after his wedding was cancelled.
- Psychologists suggest that relationships formed on the rebound rarely last, as the individuals involved are often seeking distraction rather than genuine connection.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'on the rebound'.

Teaching tip: This sense is very common in casual conversation; it can refer to the period of time or the new partner themselves.

## Examples

- The ball rebounded off the wall.
- The stock market rebounded sharply after the initial panic subsided.
- After years of economic stagnation, the region's manufacturing sector began to rebound, driven by new infrastructure investments and a surge in export demand.

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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.