Shoot

/ʃuːt/ intj, noun, verb, slang

intj, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The emerging stem and embryonic leaves of a new plant.
  • Grammar: shoot is listed as intj, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: ache, acute pain, agonize, ail.
  • Useful contrasts: biological root, awesome, cloveroot.
  • Usage evidence: It is difficult to shoot a bird flying in the air.

How to use "shoot"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "shoot" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "shoot" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "shoot" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "shoot" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "shoot" is acting as intj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "ache" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "shoot", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The emerging stem and embryonic leaves of a new plant.

    "Prune off yet also superfluous branches, and shoots of this second spring."

  2. 2
    the act of shooting at targets wordnet
  3. 3
    A photography session.

    "While you see some of our exploration on camera, I also spent many happy hours between shoots with Chris Nix, digging out dozens of wonderful plans, maps and drawings of projects that I never knew existed, and some that never did exist."

  4. 4
    a new branch wordnet
  5. 5
    A hunt or shooting competition.
Show 9 more definitions
  1. 6
    An event that is unscripted or legitimate. slang
  2. 7
    The act of shooting; the discharge of a missile; a shot.

    "The Turkish bow giveth a very forcible shoot."

  3. 8
    A rush of water; a rapid.
  4. 9
    A weft thread shot through the shed by the shuttle; a pick.
  5. 10
    A shoat; a young pig.
  6. 11
    A vein of ore running in the same general direction as the lode.

    "where to find a shoot of ore opposite one they may have taken away on a parallel lode"

  7. 12
    An inclined plane, either artificial or natural, down which timber, coal, ore, etc., are caused to slide; a chute.

    "That there was no evidence before the jury that at the time of the accident the timber shoot was worked by the defendant company."

  8. 13
    The act of taking all point cards in one hand.
  9. 14
    A seismic survey carried out with geophones in an attempt to detect oil.

    "Once the last line of cable has been retrieved, there is little evidence that a shoot has been conducted."

Verb
  1. 1
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To fire (a weapon that releases a projectile). transitive

    "to shoot a gun"

  2. 2
    give an injection to wordnet
  3. 3
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To fire (a projectile). transitive

    "If you please / To shoot an arrow that self way."

  4. 4
    produce buds, branches, or germinate wordnet
  5. 5
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To fire a projectile at (a person or target). transitive

    "The man, in a desperate bid for freedom, grabbed his gun and started shooting anyone he could."

Show 55 more definitions
  1. 6
    measure the altitude of by using a sextant wordnet
  2. 7
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To cause a weapon to discharge a projectile. intransitive

    "They shot at a target."

  3. 8
    utter fast and forcefully wordnet
  4. 9
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To hunt birds, etc. with a gun. intransitive

    "They're coming to shoot with us on Sunday."

  5. 10
    make a film or photograph of something wordnet
  6. 11
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To hunt on (a piece of land); to kill game in or on. transitive

    "Although the estate had been shot previously, there had been no effective keepering and little success with the pheasants released."

  7. 12
    record on photographic film wordnet
  8. 13
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To throw dice.

    "Then, when it was his turn to shoot, he reached out with a completely empty hand and caught the dice the stickman threw to him."

  9. 14
    score wordnet
  10. 15
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To ejaculate. slang, transitive

    "After a very short time, he shot his load over the carpet."

  11. 16
    fire a shot; release wordnet
  12. 17
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To begin to speak. intransitive, usually

    ""Can I ask you a question?" "Shoot.""

  13. 18
    hit with a missile from a weapon wordnet
  14. 19
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To discharge a missile; said of a weapon. intransitive

    "The gun shoots well."

  15. 20
    spend frivolously and unwisely wordnet
  16. 21
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To dismiss or do away with. figuratively, transitive

    "His idea was shot on sight."

  17. 22
    throw dice, as in a crap game wordnet
  18. 23
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To photograph. intransitive, transitive

    "He shot the couple in a variety of poses."

  19. 24
    variegate by interweaving weft threads of different colors wordnet
  20. 25
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To film. intransitive, transitive

    "The film was mostly shot in France."

  21. 26
    force or drive (a fluid or gas) into by piercing wordnet
  22. 27
    To launch (forcefully project) a projectile.; To push or thrust a bolt quickly; hence, to open a lock. transitive

    "There was no answer, so I took the big key, rubbed some salad oil into the wards, and after one or two bad shots, for my hands were shaking, managed to fit it, and shoot the lock."

  23. 28
    throw or propel in a specific direction or towards a specific objective wordnet
  24. 29
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To move very quickly and suddenly. intransitive

    "After an initial lag, the experimental group's scores shot past the control group's scores in the fourth week."

  25. 30
    move quickly and violently wordnet
  26. 31
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To go over or pass quickly through.

    "shoot the rapids"

  27. 32
    run or move very quickly or hastily wordnet
  28. 33
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To ride a wave.

    "One of the fishermen was really stoked. He was trying to shoot the shore break in his canoe."

  29. 34
    send forth suddenly, intensely, swiftly wordnet
  30. 35
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To tip (something, especially coal) down a chute. transitive
  31. 36
    cause a sharp and sudden pain in wordnet
  32. 37
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To penetrate, like a missile; to dart with a piercing sensation. transitive

    "a shooting pain in my leg"

  33. 38
    kill by firing a missile wordnet
  34. 39
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To feel a quick, darting pain; to throb in pain. intransitive, obsolete

    "These preachers make / His head to shoot and ache."

  35. 40
    emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and forcefully wordnet
  36. 41
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To change form suddenly; especially, to solidify. obsolete

    "If the menstruum be overcharged, metals will shoot into crystals."

  37. 42
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To send out or forth, especially with a rapid or sudden motion; to cast with the hand; to hurl; to discharge; to emit.

    "an honest weaver as ever shot shuttle"

  38. 43
    To move or act quickly or suddenly.; To send to someone. ditransitive, informal

    "I'll shoot you an email with all the details"

  39. 44
    To act or achieve.; To lunge.
  40. 45
    To act or achieve.; To deviate from kayfabe, either intentionally or accidentally; to actually connect with unchoreographed fighting blows and maneuvers, or speak one's mind (instead of an agreed script).
  41. 46
    To act or achieve.; To make the stated score.

    "In my round of golf yesterday I shot a 76."

  42. 47
    To measure the distance and direction to (a point).
  43. 48
    To inject a drug (such as heroin) intravenously. colloquial, intransitive, transitive
  44. 49
    To develop, move forward.; To germinate; to bud; to sprout.

    "Onions, as they hang, will shoot forth."

  45. 50
    To develop, move forward.; To grow; to advance.

    "to shoot up rapidly"

  46. 51
    To develop, move forward.; To move ahead by force of momentum, as a sailing vessel when the helm is put hard alee.
  47. 52
    To develop, move forward.; To travel or ride on (breaking waves) rowards the shore. transitive

    "`Take the tiller, Mahomed!' I roared in Arabic. `We must try and shoot them.' At the same moment I seized an oar, and got it out, motioning to Job to do likewise."

  48. 53
    To develop, move forward.; To push or thrust forward; to project; to protrude; often with out.

    "A plant shoots out a bud."

  49. 54
    To protrude; to jut; to project; to extend.

    "The land shoots into a promontory."

  50. 55
    To plane straight; to fit by planing.

    "two Pieces of Wood are Shot (that is Plained) or else they are Pared [...] with a Pairing-chissel"

  51. 56
    To variegate as if by sprinkling or intermingling; to color in spots or patches. (See shot silk on Wikipedia)

    "The tangled water-courses slept, / Shot over with purple, and green, and yellow."

  52. 57
    To shoot the moon.
  53. 58
    To carry out, or attempt to carry out (an approach to an airport runway).

    "He tried to shoot the visual approach to runway 12, but the visibility was too low."

  54. 59
    To carry out a seismic survey with geophones in an attempt to detect oil.

    "Once the area is ready to "shoot," the seismic crew places geophones and cables along the line of the profile to be recorded."

  55. 60
    To drink (a shot of an alcoholic beverage).

    "You can kiss a hundred boys in bars Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling"

Intj
  1. 1
    A mild expletive, expressing disbelief or dismay

    "Didn't you have a concert tonight? —Shoot! I forgot! I have to go and get ready…"

Synonyms

All synonyms
acheacute painagonizeailaim atairburst

Antonyms

biological rootawesomecloverootcrawl

Example

"It is difficult to shoot a bird flying in the air."

Common questions

What does "shoot" mean?

The emerging stem and embryonic leaves of a new plant.

What is a synonym for "shoot"?

Common synonyms include: ache, acute pain, agonize, ail, aim at, airburst.

How do you use "shoot" in a sentence?

It is difficult to shoot a bird flying in the air.

How do you pronounce "shoot"?

Pronounced /ʃuːt/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English shoten, from Old English scēotan, from Proto-West Germanic *skeutan, from Proto-Germanic *skeutaną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kéwd-e-ti, from *(s)kewd- (“to shoot, throw”). Cognates Cognate with West Frisian sjitte, Low German scheten, Dutch schieten, German schießen, Danish skyde, Norwegian Bokmål skyte, Norwegian Nynorsk skyta, Swedish skjuta; and also, through Indo-European, with Russian кида́ть (kidátʹ), Albanian hedh (“to throw, toss”), Persian چست (čost, “quick, active”), Lithuanian skudrùs.

Etymology 2

Minced oath for shit.

More for "shoot"

Synonyms

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