What does rebounded mean?
Rebound is the past tense and past participle of the verb rebound. Literally, it describes something that has struck a surface and moved back, as a ball might after hitting a wall. Figuratively, it describes a recovery: a person, team, company, market, or trend can rebound from a setback, regain strength, or return to prominence. The verb can also indicate a return to competitive success or a former position, as when a retired player rebounded to form. Its figurative use is strongly positive, conveying renewed energy and an upward turn, although the literal physical sense merely states what occurred. Rebound is common in journalism, sports reporting, financial commentary, and political analysis. The word is also related to the noun rebound, which can refer to the act of bouncing back, a sudden recovery, or a ball or other object that comes back after impact.
verb (past tense and past participle)Moved or bounced back after striking something, or recovered after a setback. It can also mean re-entered a successful career or returned to a former position.
- Moved or bounced back after an impact.
- Recovered after a decline, setback, or period of weakness.
- Returned to prominence, competitive success, or a former position.
"The young player rebounded from a difficult first half and led his team to victory."
"The ball rebounded off the wall and struck the goalkeeper."
"After several difficult seasons, the champion rebounded and won three major tournaments."
A single word captures both a ball flying back and a career recovering: rebound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of rebounded
Rebound was formed in Middle English by combining the prefix re-, meaning "again," with bound, in the sense of leaping or springing. Bound ultimately comes from Old English boundan, inherited from Proto-Germanic *bindan, related to words in other Germanic languages meaning "to bind" or "leap." The prefix re- developed the modern sense of moving or recovering back after an impact or setback.
Related word forms
How rebounded is actually used
The word is neutral in register and is especially common in reports of sport, finance, politics, and personal or professional recovery. In the recovery sense, it often follows an explicit setback, such as "rebound from criticism" or "rebound after a loss."