carom

1 of 2

noun

car·​om ˈker-əm 

ˈka-rəm

1

a

: a shot in billiards in which the cue ball strikes each of two object balls

b

: a shot in pool in which an object ball strikes another ball before falling into a pocket compare combination shot

2

: a rebounding especially at an angle

carom

2 of 2

verb

caromed; caroming; caroms

intransitive verb

1

: to strike and rebound : glance

the car caromed off a tree

2

: to make a carom

3

: to proceed by or as if by caroms

carom from city to city

Synonyms

Verb

• bounce
• glance
• rebound
• ricochet
• skim
• skip

Examples of carom in a Sentence

Verb

a ball caromed off the wall

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kepler has a big edge defensively, although Cuddyer’s great arm and ability to play caroms off the Metrodome baggy were plenty valuable as well. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 2 June 2025

The first play was on Anthony Santander’s line drive off the top of the wall in right field that Tatis wisely pulled up on and waited to field the carom off the wall and hold Santander to a single. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025

Verb

Mets third baseman Brett Baty bounced his throw home, the ball caroming over the head of catcher Francisco Alvarez and into the glove of Garrett, who was backing up the play. —Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 5 June 2025

But Díaz grounded out on a soft grounder that caromed off Thielbar’s glove and directly to second baseman Nico Hoerner. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening & alteration from obsolete carambole, from Spanish carambola

First Known Use

Noun

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carom

• arum
• ferrum
• harem
• alarum

Kids Definition

carom

1 of 2 noun

car·​om ˈkar-əm 

: a rebounding especially at an angle

carom

2 of 2 verb

: to strike and rebound at an angle