Bounce
/baʊns/noun
To spring back after hitting a surface; to move or make something move in a lively, abrupt way.
Did you know?English bounce appears to be a later expressive form, likely influenced by or related to Middle English words like bonce and bounce, and it became fixed in the language as a vivid imitation of a sudden rebound rather than a neat classical root.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
boncen / bouncen
“to strike, rebound, or make a sudden heavy movement”
16th Century
English
bounce
“to spring back or move abruptly with a thudding rebound”
16th-17th Century
English
bounce
“a sudden loud noise, bang, or report”
Modern English
English
bounce
“to rebound or move with lively springiness”
Explore more surprising origins