Recoil
/rɪˈkɔɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo suddenly move back in fear, horror, or disgust; to shrink back.
/rɪˈkɔɪl/
To suddenly move back or away in fear or disgust.
The crowd recoiled in horror at the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine you see a spider! You might *recoil* – that's when you jump back suddenly because something scares or grosses you out.
👶 For kids: When you *recoil*, it's like jumping back really fast because you're scared or surprised.
More Examples
He recoiled when the dog suddenly barked.
She recoiled from the touch of the cold, wet cloth.
How It's Used
"She recoiled from the snake."
"He recoiled at the thought of failure."
To spring or jerk back, especially with force; often used to describe the reaction of a gun after firing.
/rɪˈkɔɪl/
To spring or move back suddenly and violently.
The rifle recoiled sharply after each shot.
💡 Simply: Ever shot a water gun? The *recoil* is that little kickback you feel when you squeeze the trigger. It’s that sudden backward movement.
👶 For kids: When something *recoils*, it's like it jumps back hard, like a toy car that you pull back and it zooms forward.
More Examples
The explosion caused the car to recoil.
He felt the recoil of the hammer as it struck the nail.
How It's Used
"The gun recoiled after the shot."
"The impact caused the object to recoil."
A sudden backward movement or reaction; the act of recoiling.
/rɪˈkɔɪl/
The act of recoiling; a sudden backward movement.
The recoil of the gun was significant.
💡 Simply: The *recoil* is the kick or jump backward. Like, the feeling you get when a balloon pops right next to you.
👶 For kids: When something *recoils*, it's the jump or pull back that happens.
More Examples
He felt the recoil after the impact.
The recoil from the blow knocked him off balance.
How It's Used
"The recoil of the explosion threw him backward."
"The gun's recoil can be dangerous if not managed."
Idioms & expressions
recoil in horror
To react with extreme disgust or fear.
"The audience recoiled in horror at the graphic violence in the film."
recoil from
To withdraw or retreat from something; To show aversion or dislike toward something.
"She recoiled from his rude behavior."
From Old French reculer (“to draw back, retreat”), from re- + *culer (“to move backward”), from Latin *cul(us) (“bottom”).
The word 'recoil' has been used since the 16th century, initially referring to a physical withdrawal, and later extending to an emotional or psychological retreat.
Memory tip
Think of a snake: you'd *recoil* if it got too close.
Word Origin
"to draw back, retreat"