gunshot

gunshot — noun

1. The loud, sharp sound produced when a gun is fired, or the event of firing a gun

1.名詞B2
釋義

The loud, sharp sound produced when a gun is fired, or the event of firing a gun.

例句

Zola woke up in the night when she heard a gunshot from the street.

hear + a gunshot — noticing the sound

Three gunshots rang out from the forest, and the villagers ran for cover.

gunshot + ring out — sound fills a space

同義詞
  • gunfire

    Emphasises continuous or multiple shots rather than a single shot

  • shot

    More general — can refer to any type of shot, including from a bow or a camera

  • report

    Formal term for the explosive sound of a gun; less common in everyday speech

  • blast

    Emphasises a powerful, explosive quality; also used for explosions other than guns

文法句型

a [adjective] gunshot

gunshot + verb [rings out, echoes, breaks]

hear + a gunshot / gunshots

用法筆記

Can be used as a countable noun ("a gunshot", "two gunshots") or uncountable ("the sound of gunshot"). The countable form is much more common.

常見錯誤

I heard a gunfire from outside.
I heard a gunshot from outside.
💡'gunfire' refers to continuous shooting, while 'gunshot' usually refers to a single shot.
The gunshot noise was very loud.
The gunshot was very loud.
💡'gunshot' already means the sound; adding 'noise' is redundant.

2. A bullet or pellet that a gun shoots out when it fires.

2.名詞C1
釋義

A bullet or pellet that a gun shoots out when it fires.

例句

The doctor removed several gunshot pellets from Henrik's arm after the hunting accident.

gunshot pellets — small projectiles from a shotgun

Mert could hear the gunshot hitting the metal targets in the shooting range.

同義詞
  • bullet

    The most common term for a single projectile from a handgun or rifle; narrower than 'gunshot'

  • pellet

    Specifically refers to the small projectiles from a shotgun or airgun

  • shot

    Often used collectively for shotgun ammunition ('birdshot', 'buckshot'), or for a single bullet

  • projectile

    Formal scientific term; covers any object fired from any weapon

文法句型

gunshot + noun [wound, pellet, victim]

load with + gunshot

stray + gunshot

用法筆記

When used as an uncountable noun, 'gunshot' refers to the collection of small pellets used in shotguns. When countable, it refers to a single bullet or pellet. The phrase 'gunshot wound' is very common in medical and police contexts.

常見錯誤

He was hit by a gunshot sound.
He was hit by a gunshot.
💡Sense 2 refers to the projectile, not the sound; context makes the meaning clear.