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 boomerang captured Brittany carrying Golden in a baby sling while Sterling did the same with her toy baby doll. —Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

In addition to the atlatl, the archaeologists also found a fragment of a boomerang, long wooden tips that might have been used to deliver poison to prey, and wooden darts and stone tips. —Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

The most common type of boomerang is non-returning and made for combat and hunting, like the one found in the cave. —Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025

Yes, Jason Statham uses a boomerang and turns into a book tornado. —Rebecca Pahle, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for boomerang

• overhang
• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang

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