shot

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noun

Definition of SHOT

1

a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece <cannon operators often had to use several shots to figure out the range of their targets>

Synonyms blasting, discharge, firing

Related Words potshot; barrage, blitz, blitzkrieg, bombardment, broadside, burst, cannonade, drumfire, fusillade, hail, salvo, shower, storm, volley

2

an effort to do or accomplish something <let's take another shot at the puzzle>

Synonyms assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl

Related Words striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

3

a picture created from an image recorded on a light-sensitive surface by a camera <took a shot of his family for the scrapbook>

Synonyms photo, pic, print, shot, snap, snapshot

Related Words blowup, close-up, enlargement, still; telephoto; daguerreotype, ferrotype, monochrome, sepia, tintype

4

a person skilled in shooting at a target <a soldier who's an excellent shot with a rifle>

Synonyms sharpshooter, shooter, shot

Related Words sniper; rifleman; trapshooter; gun, gunman, gunner; markswoman

5

the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time <drank a shot of whisky>

Synonyms belt, draft, drag, gulp, nip, quaff, shot, sip, slug, snort, sup, swallow, swig, swill

Related Words dram, drop

6

an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence <I have no idea what's different about you, but I'll take a shot: you cut your hair?>

Synonyms guess, shot, supposition, surmise

Related Words hypothesis, hypothetical, theory, thesis; dead reckoning, guessing, guesswork, speculation; hunch, intuition; belief, faith

7

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place <we have a real shot at getting into the championship if we win this next match>

Synonyms break, chance, occasion, opening, room, shot

Related Words play, way; juncture, pass