First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shoot
verb \ˈshüt\
shot \ˈshät\ shoot·ing
Definition of SHOOT
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot or by a flick of a finger) <shoot an arrow> <shoot a spitball> <shoot a marble> (2) : to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket) (3) : to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or air <shoot darts from a blowgun> <a steam catapult shoots planes from a carrier> (4) : to propel (as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as the hand or foot) or with an implement; also : to score by so doing <shoot the winning goal> <shoot a basket> (5) : to throw or cast off or out often with force <shoot dice> <the horse shot his rider out of the saddle> b : to cause (as a gun or bow) to propel a missile c (1) : to utter (as words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force <shoot out a stream of invective> (2) : to emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and rapidly (3) : to send forth with suddenness or intensity <shot a look of anger at them> d : to discharge, dump, or empty especially by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide
2
3
a : to push or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out of a fastening b : to push or thrust forward : stick out <toads shooting out their tongues> c : to put forth in growing d : to place, send, or bring into position abruptly
4
a (1) : to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting) : play <shoot pool> <shoot a round of golf> <shoot craps> (2) : to achieve (a particular score) in a game that involves shooting <shoot 80 in golf> b (1) : to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice <shoot $5> (2) : to use up by or as if by betting : exhaust <shot his annual bonus on a shady deal>
5
a : to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms especially as a sport <shoot woodcock> b : to hunt over <shoot a tract of woodland>
6
a : to cause to move suddenly or swiftly forward <shot the car onto the highway> b : to send or carry quickly : dispatch <shoot the letter on to me as soon as you receive it>
7
: to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches
8
: to pass swiftly by, past, or along <shooting rapids>
9
: to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true
11
: to determine the altitude of
12
: to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of : photograph, film
13
a : to give an injection to b : to inject (an illicit drug) especially into the bloodstream
intransitive verb
1
a : to go or pass rapidly and precipitately <sparks shooting all over> <his feet shot out from under him> b : to move ahead by force of momentum c : to stream out suddenly : spurt d : to dart in or as if in rays from a source of light e : to dart with a piercing sensation <pain shot up my arm>
2
a : to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile b : to use a firearm or bow especially for sport (as in hunting)
3
: to propel a missile <guns that shoot many miles>
5
6
a : to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular way b : to drive the ball or puck toward a goal
7
: to cast dice
8
: to slide into or out of a fastening <a bolt that shoots in either direction>
9
: to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera
10
: to begin to speak —usually used as an imperative <OK, shoot, what do you have to say>
— shoot at or shoot for
: to aim at : strive for
— shoot from the hip
: to act or speak hastily without consideration of the consequences
— shoot one's bolt
: to exhaust one's capabilities and resources
— shoot one's cuffs
: to tug one's shirt cuffs below those of one's coat
— shoot oneself in the foot
: to act against one's own best interests
— shoot the breeze
: to converse idly : gossip
— shoot the shit
usually vulgar
: to shoot the breeze
— shoot the works
1
: to venture all one's capital on one play
2
: to put forth all one's efforts
See shoot defined for English-language learners
See shoot defined for kids
Origin of SHOOT
Middle English sheten, shoten, shuten, from Old English scēotan; akin to Old Norse skjōta to shoot
2shoot
noun
: the part of a new plant that is just beginning to grow above the ground
: a new branch and its leaves on an established plant
: an occasion when a movie, television show, etc., is being filmed
Full Definition of SHOOT
1
: a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: as a : a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages especially when not yet mature b : offshoot
2
a : an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm): (1) : shot (2) : the firing of a missile especially by artillery b (1) : a hunting trip or party (2) : the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is held c (1) : a shooting match <skeet shoot> (2) : a round of shots in a shooting match d : the action or an instance of shooting with a camera : a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming <a movie shoot>
3
4
[probably by folk etymology from French chute — more at chute] a : a rush of water down a steep or rapid b : a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly
See shoot defined for English-language learners
Origin of SHOOT
Middle English schot, schote projectile, new growth, in part from shoten, verb, in part from Old English sceot shot
First Known Use: 15th century
3shoot
interjection
—used to show that you are annoyed or surprised
Full Definition of SHOOT
—used to express annoyance or surprise
See shoot defined for English-language learners
Origin of SHOOT
euphemism for shit
First Known Use: 1876
SHOOT FROM THE HIP Defined for Kids
1shoot
verb \ˈshüt\
shot \ˈshät\shoot·ing
Definition of SHOOT for Kids
1
: to let fly or cause to be driven forward with force <He shot an arrow into the air.>
2
: to cause a projectile (as a bullet) to be driven out of <The guard shot a gun.>
3
: to cause a weapon to discharge a projectile <Aim and shoot.>
4
: to strike with a projectile from a bow or gun <He shot a deer.>
5
: to hit, throw, or kick (as a ball or puck) toward or into a goal
6
: to score by shooting <The player shot a basket.>
7
: 1play 2 <Let's shoot some pool.>
8
: to thrust forward swiftly <Lizards shot out their tongues.>
9
: to grow rapidly <The corn is shooting up.>
10
: to go, move, or pass rapidly <They shot past on skis.>
11
: to direct at quickly and suddenly <I shot them an angry look.>
12
: to stream out suddenly : spurt <Blood was shooting from the wound.>
13
: to film or photograph <The movie was shot in Australia.>
14
: to pass swiftly along or through <We shot the rapids in a canoe.>
— shoot·er noun
2shoot
noun
Definition of SHOOT for Kids
1
: a stem or branch of a plant especially when young or just beginning to grow
2
: a hunting party or trip <a duck shoot>
Medical Dictionary
shoot
transitive verb \ˈshüt\
shot \ˈshät\ shoot·ing
Medical Definition of SHOOT
1
: to give an injection to
2
: to take or administer (as a drug) by hypodermic needle
Learn More About SHOOT
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