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¹shoot

verb \ˈshüt\

shot \ˈshät\ shoot·ing

Definition of SHOOT

transitive verb

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

: to affect by shooting: as

a : to strike with a missile especially from a bow or gun; especially : to wound or kill with a missile discharged from a bow or firearm

b : to remove or destroy by use of firearms <shot out the light>; also : wreck, explode

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

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>

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>

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>

: to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches

: to pass swiftly by, past, or along <shooting rapids>

: to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true

a : set off, detonate, ignite <shoot a charge of dynamite>

b : to effect by blasting

: to determine the altitude of

: to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of : photograph, film

a : to give an injection to

b : to inject (an illicit drug) especially into the bloodstream

intransitive verb

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>

a : to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile

b : to use a firearm or bow especially for sport (as in hunting)

: to propel a missile <guns that shoot many miles>

: protrude, project

a : to grow or sprout by or as if by putting forth shoots

b : develop, mature

c : to spring or rise rapidly or suddenly —often used with up <in a burst of growth he shot up to six feet tall> <prices shot up>

a : to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular way

b : to drive the ball or puck toward a goal

: to cast dice

: to slide into or out of a fastening <a bolt that shoots in either direction>

: to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera

: 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

: to venture all one's capital on one play

: 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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHOOT

Synonyms: blast, discharge, fire, loose, squeeze off

Antonyms: crawl, creep, poke

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

: 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

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>

a : a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: as (1) : a sudden or rapid advance (2) : a momentary darting sensation : twinge (3) : thrust 2b (4) : the pace between strokes in rowing

b : a bar of rays : beam <a shoot of sunlight>

[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