# shoot

/ˈʃut/ (US) · /ʃˈuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shoot
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to fire a weapon

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

- The hunter decided not to shoot the deer because it was too far away.
- The soldiers were instructed not to shoot until they had a clear line of sight and positive identification of the target.

### 2. sports

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

- You should shoot the ball as soon as you have an open space.
- The striker chose to shoot from outside the penalty area, catching the goalkeeper off guard with a powerful low drive.

### 3. photography/film

verb · CEFR B1

to take a photograph or record a video.

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

- We are going to shoot the wedding photos in the park.
- The director decided to shoot the entire sequence in a single take to maintain the tension of the scene.

### 4. to move quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to move very fast in a certain direction.

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

- A sharp pain shot up his leg when he tried to stand.
- The car shot past us on the motorway, disappearing into the distance before we could even see the driver.

### 5. to inject drugs

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to put illegal drugs into your body using a needle.

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

- The movie showed the harsh reality of people who shoot heroin in the streets.
- The documentary explored the lives of individuals who shoot drugs in abandoned buildings, highlighting the need for better social support.

### 6. new plant growth

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- In the spring, green shoots began to appear in the garden.
- The gardener carefully pruned the dead wood to encourage the growth of healthy new shoots during the next season.

### 7. photo session

noun · CEFR B1

an occasion when someone takes professional photos or films something.

For teachers: a scheduled session for professional photography or filmmaking.

- The model arrived two hours late for the fashion shoot.
- The magazine organized a high-budget shoot in the desert to showcase the new summer collection.

## Examples

- He decided to shoot a video of his cat.
- The photographer had to shoot the entire wedding ceremony without using a flash to avoid disturbing the guests.
- While the director preferred to shoot on film for its organic texture, the production budget eventually forced a transition to high-definition digital cameras for the remaining action sequences.

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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.