Shot
/ʃɒt/
Definitions
5 meaningsThe act of firing a weapon or the projectile fired.
/ʃɒt/
A single instance of firing a weapon.
He took a lucky shot and hit the target.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and you *shoot* a ball. The actual action of doing it, or the ball itself, is a 'shot'.
👶 For kids: When you use a gun or a bow and arrow, the thing that comes out is a 'shot'.
More Examples
The sniper's shot hit its mark.
I heard a gunshot; it was a single shot fired at the bank.
How It's Used
"The soldier fired a warning shot."
"The basketball player made a three-point shot."
An attempt or opportunity to do something.
/ʃɒt/
An attempt to achieve something.
She took a shot at the high score in the game.
💡 Simply: If you want to try something, like bake a cake, you can say you are taking a 'shot' at it, which means you are going to try.
👶 For kids: Trying something is like taking a 'shot' at it! Like when you try to throw a ball in the hoop.
More Examples
Let's give it a shot; we might just succeed.
I'll give it a shot, but I'm not confident I can do it.
How It's Used
"I'm going to take a shot at fixing the car."
"We'll give it a shot and see if we can get the deal."
A small serving of a drink (usually alcoholic) or an injection of a drug.
/ʃɒt/
A small quantity of a drink.
He ordered a shot of whiskey.
💡 Simply: If you're at a bar and want a little bit of liquor, you might order a 'shot'. It is a small amount of a drink that you drink quickly.
👶 For kids: It's a tiny amount of medicine or drink that you take quickly, like when a doctor gives you a 'shot' to keep you healthy!
More Examples
The doctor gave me a shot to prevent the flu.
I took a shot of espresso to wake me up.
How It's Used
"He ordered a shot of tequila."
"She received a flu shot."
To fire a weapon or a projectile.
/ʃɒt/
To fire a weapon.
He shot the target with his arrow.
💡 Simply: To 'shoot' means to launch something out of a gun, or to throw a ball at a target.
👶 For kids: Shooting is when you make something come out of a gun or throw a ball to try and hit something!
More Examples
The police shot the suspect.
The hunter shot the deer.
How It's Used
"The soldiers shot at the enemy."
"He shot the ball into the basket."
To photograph something, or to film a scene.
/ʃɒt/
To photograph something.
She shot the sunset with her phone.
💡 Simply: Taking a picture, that's 'shooting'! When a photographer takes a picture, he is shooting the scene.
👶 For kids: Taking a picture with a camera is called 'shooting'!
More Examples
The movie director shot the scene.
I shot a picture of my dog.
How It's Used
"The photographer shot the beautiful landscape."
"The director shot a scene for the movie."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a shot in the arm
Something that gives someone or something new energy or enthusiasm.
"The new funding provided a shot in the arm for the struggling company."
close shot
a photograph or film scene taken from a very short distance
"The news clip showed a close shot of the crime scene."
long shot
something that is unlikely to succeed
"It's a long shot, but it's worth trying."
call the shots
to be in charge
"The CEO calls the shots in the company."
From Middle English *shot*, from Old English *scot* (“a shooting, act of shooting, missile”), from Proto-Germanic *skutą* (“a shot, shooting, missile”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewd- (“to shoot, throw”).
The word has been used since the 14th century, originally referring to an arrow or missile.
Memory tip
Think of the sound: *pow!* - that's a shot.
Word Origin
"a shooting, act of shooting, missile"