Rifle
/ˈraɪfəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA firearm with a long barrel that has a spiral groove cut into its inner surface.
/ˈraɪfəl/
A firearm with a rifled bore
The soldier cleaned his rifle after the training exercise.
💡 Simply: A rifle is like a special long gun that shoots bullets. The inside of the barrel has little grooves that make the bullets spin, so they fly straighter and farther.
👶 For kids: A rifle is a special kind of gun that helps you shoot things far away.
More Examples
The museum displayed a collection of antique rifles.
A high-powered hunting rifle can be dangerous.
How It's Used
"Soldiers are trained in the use of the standard issue rifle."
"The hunter carried a high-powered rifle for big game."
"He is a skilled marksman with a precision rifle."
To search through something quickly and often roughly, especially in order to steal something.
/ˈraɪfəl/
To search thoroughly through something.
The burglars rifled through the drawers, looking for valuables.
💡 Simply: To rifle means to quickly and messily look through something, often to find or steal something. It's like when you're late and quickly look everywhere for your phone!
👶 For kids: When you rifle through something, it's like you're quickly looking for something by moving things around fast!
More Examples
He rifled through the files, trying to find the missing document.
She rifled through her bag in search of a pen.
How It's Used
"The police rifled through the suspect's belongings for evidence."
"She rifled through her purse looking for her keys."
Idioms & expressions
Rifle through something
To search quickly through something.
"He rifled through the documents looking for the contract."
From Middle Dutch or Middle Low German *rifel* (groove), referring to the grooves cut into the barrel of a firearm.
Historically, the term referred specifically to firearms with spiraled grooves in their barrels to improve accuracy, distinguishing them from smoothbore weapons.
Memory tip
Think of the grooves inside the barrel like the grooves in a vinyl record, causing the bullet to spin.
Word Origin
"groove"