boomerang

noun

boo·​mer·​ang ˈbü-mə-ˌraŋ 

1

: a bent or angular throwing club typically flat on one side and rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight

especially : one designed to return near the thrower

2

: an act or utterance that backfires on its originator

boomerang intransitive verb

Examples of boomerang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The key is variety—use different story formats like boomerangs, polls and videos to keep things fresh and engaging. —Tony Pec, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Among the bonsai trees, clogs, boomerangs, and other familial artifacts is a small toy monkey with black, void-like eyes and an unsettling grin. —EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Boeing boomerang Boeing 737 Max fuselages sit on railcars during an ongoing strike by the company’s factory workers in Seattle, Washington, U.S., October 30, 2024. —Michele Luhn, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

What makes boomerang employees great rehires and even better leaders? —Emily Venizelos, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) bumarinʸ

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing boomerang

• boomerang child

Kids Definition

boomerang

1 of 2 noun

boo·​mer·​ang

ˈbü-mə-ˌraŋ

: a curved club that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower

boomerang

2 of 2 verb

: backfire entry 2 sense 2

Etymology

the Indigenous word for this club in Australia