Shoot
ʃuːt
Definitions
6 meaningsTo fire a projectile from a weapon or device.
ʃuːt
To discharge a weapon or projectile.
The archer shoots the arrow at the target.
💡 Simply: Imagine a toy gun! When you pull the trigger, you 'shoot' something out. It's like sending a little bullet, arrow, or even water from a water gun!
👶 For kids: To send something out of a gun or a bow and arrow.
More Examples
The photographer is shooting pictures of the event.
The criminal was accused of shooting the victim.
How It's Used
"The soldier was trained to shoot accurately."
"He shoots the ball into the basket."
"The hunter aimed to shoot a deer."
To move rapidly in a specific direction.
ʃuːt
To move quickly and suddenly.
The river shoots down the valley.
💡 Simply: Think of a fast car! When it zooms quickly by, it's like it 'shoots' past. It's about moving very quickly.
👶 For kids: To move very fast or quickly.
More Examples
Her temper shot up when she heard the news.
The car shot ahead of the others.
How It's Used
"The car shot past us on the highway."
"The plant's new shoots emerged quickly."
To capture images with a camera or record moving images with a video camera.
ʃuːt
To film or photograph something.
They are shooting a commercial for the new product.
💡 Simply: Imagine taking pictures with your phone or a camera! That's what it means to 'shoot'. It's capturing a moment on film or digitally.
👶 For kids: To take a picture or video.
More Examples
The photographer shoots weddings.
She shoots videos for her YouTube channel.
How It's Used
"The director is shooting a new movie."
"I'm going to shoot some photos at the park."
An interjection used to express surprise, frustration, or excitement. Usually followed by a follow-up utterance
ʃuːt
Informal expression to say something.
Shoot! I dropped the ice cream.
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'oops!' or 'wow!' quickly to show you are surprised or excited.
👶 For kids: A quick word when you are surprised or excited.
More Examples
Shoot, I thought the movie was starting now.
Shoot! I can't find my phone.
How It's Used
"Shoot! I forgot my keys at home."
An act of firing a weapon or projectile.
ʃuːt
An act of firing a weapon.
The police heard the shoot coming from the bank.
💡 Simply: When you fire a gun, that act of firing is called a 'shoot'.
👶 For kids: The action of firing a gun or arrow.
More Examples
The basketball player's shoot was perfect and the ball went in.
The movie features a dramatic shoot.
How It's Used
"The soldiers performed target practice during a live shoot."
"That was an impressive basketball shoot."
A new growth on a plant; a sprout or a bud.
ʃuːt
A young, new growth on a plant.
The plant's shoots are coming out in spring.
💡 Simply: Think about tiny little leaves coming out of a plant stem - those new parts are called shoots!
👶 For kids: A new leaf or stem that is growing out of a plant.
More Examples
The gardener pruned the shoots.
The plant is growing new shoots.
How It's Used
"The new shoots of the plant are delicate."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
shoot the breeze
To chat casually; to talk idly.
"We spent the afternoon shooting the breeze."
shoot up
To increase quickly; to rise rapidly.
"The stock prices shot up."
shoot for the stars
To aim high; to have ambitious goals.
"When you are young, shoot for the stars!"
From Old English *scēotan*, from Proto-Germanic *skeutaną*, from Proto-Indo-European *skeudʰ-* (to shoot, to throw).
The word 'shoot' has been used in English since the Old English period, initially with the meaning of 'to move or go swiftly', and then evolved to also include 'to fire a projectile'.
Memory tip
Imagine an arrow leaving a bow – that's shooting.
Word Origin
"to shoot, to throw"