What does ricocheted mean?
“Ricocheted” is the past tense and past participle of the verb ricochet, meaning to bounce or rebound from a surface at an angle. In its basic physical sense, it commonly describes bullets, balls, sounds, or other objects that change direction after impact. It can also be used transitively, as in “ricocheted the ball off the wall,” meaning to cause an object to rebound in that manner. The image is sharp and forceful: a projectile finds a new course after striking a hard surface. The word is especially common in journalism, sport, military reporting, and accounts of accidents. In extended figurative use, “ricocheted” can evoke a thought, sound, or consequence that rebounds through a setting, although literal projectile usage remains most familiar. Compared with “bounced,” it suggests a sharper, more abrupt angled deflection, while “rebounded” can be gentler and more general.
verb (past tense and past participle)Ricocheted is the past tense and past participle of ricochet. It means bounced or rebounded off a surface at an angle, or caused something to rebound in that way.
- Bounced or rebounded from a surface at an angle.
- Caused an object or projectile to bounce or rebound from a surface at an angle.
"The bullet ricocheted off the tiled wall and disappeared into the courtyard."
"The sound ricocheted through the empty stairwell."
"The defender ricocheted the ball off the wall and into the penalty area."
A ricocheted bullet does not disappear on impact—it finds a new direction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ricocheted
The English verb entered from French ricochet in the early seventeenth century. The French noun ricochet came from ricocher, meaning “to rebound” or “recoil,” but the ultimate origin of ricocher is uncertain. English ricochet and its inflected forms inherited this French history.
Related word forms
How ricocheted is actually used
Usually describes an object or projectile that rebounds at an angle. It can stand alone as a past-tense verb or combine with have to form the present perfect, as in “has ricocheted.” In figurative writing, it can suggest a thought, sound, or consequence that rebounds through a setting.
Easily confused with ricocheted
Ricocheted means rebounded at an angle after striking a surface, whereas rocketed means moved or rose very rapidly.