Pronunciation: /rɪˈkɔɪl/

Definitions of recoil

noun the act of suddenly springing back or recoiling

Example Sentences

A1 She felt a recoil when she touched the hot stove.

A2 The loud noise made him recoil in fear.

B1 The soldier experienced a recoil from the force of the rifle.

B2 The unexpected news caused a recoil of shock among the audience.

C1 The politician's controversial statement caused a recoil among voters.

C2 The artist's provocative artwork elicited a recoil from conservative critics.

verb to spring or jerk back, as from an impact or a blow

Example Sentences

A1 I recoil when I see a spider.

A2 She recoiled in fear when the dog barked loudly.

B1 The loud noise made the cat recoil in surprise.

B2 He recoiled at the sight of blood.

C1 The soldier recoiled from the enemy's sudden attack.

C2 She recoiled at the thought of having to confront her past.

Examples of recoil in a Sentence

formal The gun's powerful recoil made it difficult to maintain accuracy.

informal I always flinch at the recoil when shooting my dad's old rifle.

slang I can't handle the recoil on that thing, it kicks like a mule!

figurative She recoiled at the thought of having to confront her fears.

Grammatical Forms of recoil

past tense

recoiled

plural

recoils

comparative

more recoil

superlative

most recoil

present tense

recoils

future tense

will recoil

perfect tense

has recoiled

continuous tense

is recoiling

singular

recoil

positive degree

recoil

infinitive

recoil

gerund

recoiling

participle

recoiled

Origin and Evolution of recoil

First Known Use: 0014 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'recoil' originated from the Old French word 'reculer' which means 'to retreat or draw back'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'recoil' has evolved to also mean a sudden spring or movement back, especially in reaction to something surprising or alarming.