What does volleyed mean?
Volleyed is the past tense and past participle of volley, a verb meaning to hit or send something through the air, especially a ball, without allowing it to touch the ground first. The word also describes the rapid discharge or exchange of several things: a tennis player may volley the ball over the net, soldiers may fire a volley of shots, and reporters may volley questions at a public figure. In the sense of repeated physical affection, people can volley kisses to one another. Volleyed is therefore more than a simple term for hitting a ball: it evokes speed, force, and succession. It can also serve as an adjective before a noun, as in "volleyed gunfire." The form is standard in British and American English and works in formal reporting as well as informal narrative.
To hit or send something, especially a ball, through the air without letting it touch the ground; to fire, launch, or exchange shots, questions, or similar things rapidly.
"He volleyed the ball over the net and into the opposite court."
Used as the past tense or past participle of volley.
Describing shots, questions, kisses, or other actions delivered rapidly in a series.
"Volleyed gunfire echoed across the valley."
This is a participial use of the verb form rather than a separately coined adjective.
Volleyed captures a rapid burst of action: shots, questions, or even kisses can all be sent flying in quick succession.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of volleyed
English volley comes through French volée, originally meaning a flight or course, from Latin volare, "to fly." The English verb developed from the idea of sending objects flying through the air, first in the sense of gunfire and later in sports and other contexts. Volleyed is formed from volley with the regular past-tense and past-participle ending -ed; volleyball and volleyer belong to the same extended word family.
Related word forms
How volleyed is actually used
The word is neutral in register and used in both British and American English. It can also function as a participial adjective before a noun, as in "volleyed gunfire" or "volleyed questions." Its meaning often carries a sense of speed, repetition, and energetic exchange.