shoot

interjection

UK /ʃuːt/

1
used for telling someone to say what they want to say
‘I’ve got a fantastic idea.’ ‘OK, shoot!’
Synonyms and related words
Ways of encouraging or telling someone to do something
I wish
go for it
don’t hesitate to do something
2
mainly Americanused for expressing anger or disappointment
Shoot! I forgot to call him back.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing when you are annoyed or angry
hell
blast
for heaven’s sake/sakes

shoot

interjection

US /ʃut/

1
used for expressing anger or disappointment
Shoot! I forgot to call him back.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing when you are annoyed or angry
hell
for heaven’s sake/sakes
for pity’s sake
2
used for telling someone to say what they want to say
“I’ve got a fantastic idea.” “OK, shoot!”
Synonyms and related words
Ways of encouraging or telling someone to do something
I wish
go for it
don’t hesitate to do something

shoot

noun countable

UK /ʃuːt/

Word Forms

singular	shoot
plural	shoots

1
a very young plant, or a new part growing on a plant
tender shoots of corn
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
2
an occasion when someone takes a series of photographs or makes a film
a fashion shoot for a magazine
Synonyms and related words
Film-making and theatre production
animation
behind the scenes
cine-film
Synonyms and related words
Relating to photography and photographs
black-and-white
camera-shy
candid
3
an occasion when people shoot animals for sport
Synonyms and related words
General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
an easy target
angling
bag
1. 3a
  a place where people shoot animals
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
  an easy target
  angling
  bag

shoot

noun countable

US /ʃut/

Word Forms

singular	shoot
plural	shoots

1
a very young plant, or a new part growing on a plant
tender shoots of corn
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
2
an occasion when someone takes a series of photographs or makes a movie
a fashion shoot for a magazine
Synonyms and related words
Movie-making and theater production
animation
behind the scenes
cut
Synonyms and related words
Relating to photography and photographs
black-and-white
camera-shy
candid
3
an occasion when people shoot animals for sport
Synonyms and related words
General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
an easy target
angling
bag
1. 3a
  a place where people shoot animals
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
  an easy target
  angling
  bag

shoot

verb

UK /ʃuːt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shoot
he/she/it	shoots
present participle	shooting
past tense	shot
past participle	shot

1
intransitive/transitive Sound Effect ♬♬♬♬♬♬to fire a gun
We were ordered not to shoot until he gave the signal.
shoot at:
They were shooting at bottles on a wall.
shoot (someone) on sight (=to shoot someone as soon as you see them):
Armed officers had instructions to shoot the kidnapper on sight.
shoot to kill (=to intend to kill someone when you shoot at them):
It’s not clear whether they were shooting to kill.
Synonyms and related words
To use a gun
aim
at gunpoint
cock
1. 1a
  transitive used about other weapons that fire things, for example a bow and arrow
  Synonyms and related words
  Supplying and using weapons and explosives
  arm
  armament
  armed
2. 1b
  transitive to hit someone or something with a bullet from a gun
  shoot someone in the head/leg/stomach etc:
  The man was shot in the head as he left the bar.
  shoot someone dead:
  Two of our officers were shot dead.
  shoot someone at close range (=to be very close to them when you shoot):
  The victim had been shot at close range.
  Synonyms and related words
  To shoot someone or something
  shoot
  blast
  spray
3. 1c
  intransitive to hunt animals using guns, or to fire guns for pleasure
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
  an easy target
  angling
  bag
  Synonyms and related words
  To shoot someone or something
  shoot
  blast
  spray
2
intransitive/transitive in sport, to throw or kick a ball in an attempt to score points
He shot the ball straight at the goalkeeper.
We were all shouting for him to shoot.
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play
1. 2a
  transitive in golf, to get a particular score
  He shot a 68 in yesterday’s competition.
  Synonyms and related words
  Golf
  ace
  backswing
  birdie
2. 2b
  transitive mainly Americanto play a particular sport
  shoot baskets/hoops (=to play basketball):
  The kids were in the yard shooting hoops.
  shoot pool:
  Let’s go over to Harry’s and shoot some pool.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take part in a competition or game
  play
  race
  meet
3
intransitive to move very suddenly and quickly
shoot into/out of/across something:
The car shot across the road at high speed.
They could see flames shooting into the air.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
1. 3a
  transitive to move something quickly and suddenly
  shoot something out/into/across etc:
  She shot an arm out to catch it.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move something quickly
  fling
  skim
  slide
2. 3b
  transitive to direct something somewhere suddenly or with a lot of force
  shoot something at someone:
  Journalists were shooting questions at us.
  shoot a look/glance at someone:
  I shot a nervous glance at my partner.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to try to move something by pushing
  push
  shove
  heave
3. 3c
  intransitive/transitive informalto happen very suddenly and quickly
  The book has shot straight to the top of the bestseller list.
  shoot to fame/stardom/celebrity:
  an appearance that shot her to stardom overnight
  Synonyms and related words
  To happen quickly or unexpectedly
  turn up
  spring
  sneak up
4
intransitive/transitive to take photographs, or to make a film or video
We’re going to start shooting early tomorrow morning.
All the outdoor scenes were shot on location in Wales.
Synonyms and related words
To take and develop photographs
blow up
capture
come out

phrases

shoot your bolt

shoot the breeze/bull

shoot from the hip

shoot it out

shoot your mouth off

shoot the rapids

shoot yourself in the foot

phrasal verbs

shoot down

shoot for

shoot off

shoot through

shoot up

shoot

verb

US /ʃut/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shoot
he/she/it	shoots
present participle	shooting
past tense	shot
past participle	shot

1
intransitive/transitive Sound Effect ♬♬♬♬♬♬to fire a gun
We were ordered not to shoot until he gave the signal.
shoot at:
They were shooting at bottles on a wall.
shoot (someone) on sight (=to shoot someone as soon as you see them):
The police officers had instructions to shoot the kidnapper on sight.
shoot to kill (=to intend to kill someone when you shoot at them):
It’s not clear whether they were shooting to kill.
Synonyms and related words
To use a gun
aim
at gunpoint
cock
1. 1a
  transitive used about other weapons that fire things, for example a bow and arrow
  Synonyms and related words
  Supplying and using weapons and explosives
  arm
  armament
  armed
2. 1b
  transitive to hit someone or something with a bullet from a gun
  shoot someone in the head/leg/stomach etc.:
  The man was shot in the head as he left the bar.
  shoot someone dead:
  Two of our officers were shot dead.
  shoot someone at close range (=to be very close to them when you shoot):
  The victim had been shot at close range.
  Synonyms and related words
  To shoot someone or something
  shoot
  blast
  spray
3. 1c
  intransitive to hunt animals using guns, or to fire guns for pleasure
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for hunting, shooting and fishing
  an easy target
  angling
  bag
  Synonyms and related words
  To shoot someone or something
  shoot
  blast
  spray
2
intransitive/transitive in a sport, to throw or kick a ball in an attempt to score points
She shot the ball from the foul line and scored her first point.
He hasn’t been shooting very well this season.
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play
1. 2a
  transitive in golf, to get a particular score
  He shot a 68 in yesterday’s round.
  Synonyms and related words
  Golf
  ace
  ace
  backswing
2. 2b
  transitive to play a particular sport
  shoot baskets/hoops (=to play basketball):
  The kids were in the yard shooting hoops.
  shoot pool:
  Let’s go over to Harry’s and shoot some pool.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take part in a competition or game
  play
  race
  meet
3
intransitive to move very suddenly and quickly
shoot into/out of/across something:
The car shot across the road at high speed.
They could see flames shooting into the air.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
1. 3a
  transitive to move something quickly and suddenly
  shoot something out/into/across etc.:
  She shot an arm out to catch the ball.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move something quickly
  fling
  skim
  slide
2. 3b
  transitive to direct something somewhere suddenly or with a lot of force
  shoot a look/glance at someone:
  I shot a nervous glance at my partner.
  shoot something at someone:
  Reporters were shooting questions at us.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to try to move something by pushing
  push
  shove
  heave
3. 3c
  intransitive/transitive informalto happen very suddenly and quickly
  The book has shot straight to the top of the bestseller list.
  shoot to fame/stardom/celebrity:
  an appearance that shot her to stardom overnight
  Synonyms and related words
  To happen quickly or unexpectedly
  turn up
  spring
  sneak up
4
intransitive/transitive to take photographs, or to make a movie or video
We’re going to start shooting early tomorrow morning.
All the outdoor scenes were shot on location in Wyoming.
Synonyms and related words
To take and develop photographs
blow up
capture
come out
5
transitive informalif you shoot a drug, you put it into your body with a needle
Synonyms and related words
To buy or use illegal drugs
abuse
be jacked up
come down

phrases

shoot the breeze/bull

shoot from the hip

shoot it out

shoot your mouth off

shoot the rapids

shoot the works

shoot yourself in the foot

phrasal verbs

shoot down

shoot for

shoot off

shoot through

shoot up

shoot

shoot

shoot ​‌

shoot ​‌

shoot ​‌‌‌

shoot ​‌‌‌

shoot

shoot

shoot

shoot