Recoil Meaning
/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
nounThe state or condition of having recoiled.
Sentence Examples
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
The recoil reduces the weapon's accuracy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When she saw the spider, she couldn't help but ____ in fear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She felt the gun ____ sharply in her hands as she fired the first shot at the target.
Word Origin & History
From Old French reculer. Further from Latin re- + cūlus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The recoil from formalism is skepticism."
— 1850, Frederick William Robertson, second address delivered to the members of the Working Men's Institute, Brighton:
"For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent uncanniness, not to mention the threats to our sense of humanity."
— 2025 December 11, Charlie Campbell, Andrew R. Chow and Billy Perrigo, “The Architects of AI Are TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year”, in Time:
"that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle."
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"Thus vvhen this Courtly Gentleman vvith toyle / Himſelfe hath vvearied, he doth recoyle / Vnto his reſt, and there vvith ſvveete delight / Of Muſicks skill reuiues his toyled ſpright, […]"
— 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC, signature O2, verso:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
When she saw the spider, she couldn't help but ____ in fear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She felt the gun ____ sharply in her hands as she fired the first shot at the target.