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

In fact, Godfrey is a Clemson boomerang, having played his freshman and sophomore years with the Tigers. —Jim Root, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

But beyond the architectural artifacts and artwork, the duplex is jammed with eclectic objects, from statuary and ceramics from around the world to boomerangs, cigar molds, and shoe forms. —Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026

Equipped with a smart AI chip and gyroscope, the orb hovers, flies, and returns to the user like a boomerang, providing countless hours of entertainment. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025

Three colossal planks of sandstone, ranging in height from fifteen feet nine inches to eighteen feet eight inches, rise from the grass, along with a smaller stone that has the bent shape of a boomerang. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 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