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shoot

1 syllable · also shot

Quick answer

As a verb, shoot means launch a projectile. As a noun, it means the emerging stem and embryonic leaves of a new plant.

Meanings of shoot

54 meanings

To launch a projectile.
To fire (a weapon that releases a projectile).
“to shoot a gun”
To fire (a projectile).
To fire a projectile at (a person or target).
“The man, in a desperate bid for freedom, grabbed his gun and started shooting anyone he could.”
“The hunter shot the deer to harvest its meat.”
To cause a weapon to discharge a projectile.
“They shot at a target.”
“He shoots better than he rides.”
To hunt birds, etc. with a gun.
“They're coming to shoot with us on Sunday.”
To hunt on (a piece of land); to kill game in or on.
gamblingTo throw dice.
slangTo ejaculate.
“After a very short time, he shot his load over the carpet.”
as imperativeTo begin to speak.
“"Can I ask you a question?" "Shoot."”
To discharge a missile; said of a weapon.
“The gun shoots well.”
figurativeTo dismiss or do away with.
“His idea was shot on sight.”
analogousTo photograph.
“He shot the couple in a variety of poses.”
“He shot seventeen stills.”
analogouscinematvTo film.
“The film was mostly shot in France.”

Older and rare meanings (2)

The emerging stem and embryonic leaves of a new plant.
A photography session.
A hunt or shooting competition.
professional wrestlingslangAn event that is unscripted or legitimate.
The act of shooting; the discharge of a missile; a shot.
A rush of water; a rapid.
weavingA weft thread shot through the shed by the shuttle; a pick.
A shoat; a young pig.
miningA vein of ore running in the same general direction as the lode.
An inclined plane, either artificial or natural, down which timber, coal, ore, etc., are caused to slide; a chute.
card gamesThe act of taking all point cards in one hand.
A seismic survey carried out with geophones in an attempt to detect oil.
A new branchplant