ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shoot

v. · n.
US //ˈʃut// UK //ʃˈuːt// shoot
Irregular verb past shot past participle shot
  1. 1 to fire a weapon (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to fire a bullet from a gun or an arrow from a bow.

    to discharge a projectile from a weapon, such as a firearm or bow. Transitive when specifying a target or weapon.

    Example

    The hunter decided not to shoot the deer because it was too far away.

    Example

    The soldiers were instructed not to shoot until they had a clear line of sight and positive identification of the target.
  2. 2 sports (v.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    to try to score a goal or point in a game like football or basketball.

    to propel a ball or puck toward a goal or hoop in an attempt to score.

    Example

    You should shoot the ball as soon as you have an open space.

    Example

    The striker chose to shoot from outside the penalty area, catching the goalkeeper off guard with a powerful low drive.
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  1. 3 photography/film (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Photography

    to take a photograph or record a video.

    to capture an image or record a sequence of film or video. Often used in professional contexts.

    Example

    We are going to shoot the wedding photos in the park.

    Example

    The director decided to shoot the entire sequence in a single take to maintain the tension of the scene.
  2. 4 to move quickly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move very fast in a certain direction.

    to move or progress with great speed or suddenness. Intransitive in this sense.

    Example

    A sharp pain shot up his leg when he tried to stand.

    Example

    The car shot past us on the motorway, disappearing into the distance before we could even see the driver.
  3. 5 to inject drugs (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    to put illegal drugs into your body using a needle.

    to inject a drug intravenously. Highly informal and associated with substance abuse.

    Example

    The movie showed the harsh reality of people who shoot heroin in the streets.

    Example

    The documentary explored the lives of individuals who shoot drugs in abandoned buildings, highlighting the need for better social support.
  4. 6 new plant growth (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a new part of a plant that is just starting to grow out of the ground or a branch.

    the newly developed part of a plant, such as a stem or bud, emerging from the seed or an existing plant part.

    Example

    In the spring, green shoots began to appear in the garden.

    Example

    The gardener carefully pruned the dead wood to encourage the growth of healthy new shoots during the next season.
  5. 7 photo session (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Photography

    an occasion when someone takes professional photos or films something.

    a scheduled session for professional photography or filmmaking.

    Example

    The model arrived two hours late for the fashion shoot.

    Example

    The magazine organized a high-budget shoot in the desert to showcase the new summer collection.
Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English scheten, schoten, from Old English scēotan, from Proto-West Germanic skeutan, from Proto-Germanic skeutaną, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kéwd-e-ti, from (s)kewd- (“to shoot, throw”). Cognates Cognate with West Frisian sjitte, Low German scheten, Dutch schieten, German schießen, Danish skyde, Norwegian Bokmål skyte, Norwegian Nynorsk skyta, Swedish skjuta; and also, through Indo-European, with Russian кида́ть (kidátʹ), Albanian hedh (“to throw, toss”), Persian چست (čost, “quick, active”), Lithuanian skudrùs.

Etymology 2

Minced oath for shit.

Word family
Idioms15 entries

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