1 a [+ obj] : to cause (a ball, rock, etc.) to hit against a surface and quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction
▪ He was bouncing a tennis ball against/off the garage door. ▪ bouncing the ball back and forth
b [no obj] : to move in one direction, hit a surface (such as a wall or the floor), and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction — usually + off ▪ The ball bounced off the wall. ▪ A rock bounced off the road and hit our car's windshield. ▪ The light will bounce off the mirror and shine into the next room. 2 a [no obj] : to move with a lot of energy and excitement
▪ He bounced [=bounded] into the room to welcome his guests. ▪ The kids are bouncing off the walls. [=the kids are very/too excited and have a lot of energy]
b : to move or jump up and down [no obj] ▪ The children love to bounce on the bed/trampoline. ▪ The winner bounced up and down with delight. ▪ Her curls bounced as she jumped. [+ obj] ▪ He bounced the baby on his knee. 3 a [no obj] of a check : to be returned by a bank because there is not enough money in the bank account to pay the amount that is on the check
▪ She gave me a check for 20 dollars, but the check bounced, and I never got the money.
b [+ obj] : to write (a check) that is returned without payment by the bank
▪ He bounced a 100-dollar check at the grocery store. ▪ The store charges a $15 fee for a bounced check. 4 [no obj] : to go quickly and repeatedly from one job, place, etc., to another
▪ He bounces back and forth between Miami and Houston. — often + from ▪ bouncing from place to place ▪ She bounces from one job to another. ▪ Our teacher's always bouncing from one subject to another. 5 : to return (an e-mail) to the sender instead of delivering it [+ obj] ▪ I tried to send you an e-mail, but it got bounced back to me. [=the e-mail or computer system was not able to deliver it] [no obj] ▪ I tried to send you an e-mail but it bounced.