What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ricochet
Example
The bullet ricocheted off the wall and hit the target. [ricocheted: past tense verb]
Example
The ball ricocheted off the tree and landed in the pond. [ricocheted: past tense verb]
bounce
Example
The basketball bounced off the rim and back into the player's hands. [bounced: past tense verb]
Example
The children were bouncing on the trampoline in the backyard. [bouncing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bounce is more commonly used than ricochet in everyday language. Bounce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ricochet is less common and often associated with more serious or dangerous situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ricochet and bounce?
While ricochet is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, bounce is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
