Bounce vs. Bound: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 10, 2023
Bounce refers to a rebound after hitting a surface, while Bound can mean to leap or a defined limit.
Key Differences
Bounce typically relates to the motion of an object, like a ball, that comes in contact with a surface and rebounds. Bound, on the other hand, can represent a leap or jump, often in a spirited or energetic manner.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Bounce often indicates a repeated action where something, due to its elasticity or force, returns from a surface it has just contacted. In contrast, Bound might not necessarily imply repetition but can indicate a single leap or springing action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Bounce has connotations with resiliency and elasticity. A rubber ball, for instance, will bounce off a wall. Bound might be more associated with agility and energy, as in a deer bounding through a field.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
In the context of checks, a check that cannot be processed due to insufficient funds is said to "bounce". Bound, conversely, can also mean a restriction or limitation, like being "bound by a contract".
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Lastly, when you "bounce an idea" off someone, you're seeking feedback. But when you're "bound to a promise", you're committed to keeping it.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
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Bounce and Bound Definitions
Bounce
To present for feedback or reaction.
I'd like to bounce this idea off you.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Bound
A limiting line or border.
The garden's bounds were marked with stones.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
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Bounce
To be left unpaid because of an overdrawn account
A check that bounced.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(Computers) To be sent back by a mail server as undeliverable
That email bounced because I used "com" instead of "net.".
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To spring back from a surface; rebound
The basketball bounded off the backboard.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(Baseball) To hit a ground ball to an infielder
The batter bounced out to the shortstop.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To set a limit to; confine
A high wall that bounded the prison yard.
Lives that were bounded by poverty.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To cause to strike an object or a surface and rebound
Bounce a ball on the sidewalk.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To constitute the boundary or limit of
A city park that was bounded by busy streets.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To present or propose for comment or approval. Often used with off
Bounced a few ideas off my boss.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
A springing back from a surface after hitting it; a bounce
Caught the ball on the bound.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
A sudden bound or upward movement
The bike went over the rock with a bounce.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Often bounds A boundary; a limit
Our joy knew no bounds. Your remarks exceed the bounds of reason.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Bounds The territory on, within, or near limiting lines
The bounds of the kingdom.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
Cheerfulness or liveliness
"He had managed to recover much of his bounce and spirit" (Paul Auster).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
A fast, energetic style of hip-hop originating in New Orleans and characterized by repetitive, often sexual call-and-response lyrics.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
A style of dance performed to this music characterized by rapid body movements, especially of the gluteal and hamstring muscles in a way that resembles bouncing while keeping the feet on the ground.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Determined; resolved
Many public policy students are bound to be politicians one day.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
(Linguistics) Being a form, especially a morpheme, that cannot stand as an independent word, such as a prefix or suffix.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(intransitive) To change the direction of motion after hitting an obstacle.
The tennis ball bounced off the wall before coming to rest in the ditch.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(intransitive) To move quickly up and then down, or vice versa, once or repeatedly.
He bounces nervously on his chair.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a specified direction
Commuters bound for home.
A south-bound train.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(transitive) To cause to move quickly up and down, or back and forth, once or repeatedly.
He bounced the child on his knee.
The children were bouncing a ball against a wall.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Simple past tense and past participle of bind
I bound the splint to my leg.
I had bound the splint with duct tape.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To suggest or introduce (an idea, etc.) to (off or by) somebody, in order to gain feedback.
I'm meeting Bob later to bounce some ideas off him about the new product range.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To surround a territory or other geographical entity; to form the boundary of.
France, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra bound Spain.
Kansas is bounded by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south and Colorado on the west.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(intransitive) To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound.
She bounced happily into the room.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
(intransitive) To leap, move by jumping.
The rabbit bounded down the lane.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To be refused by a bank because it is drawn on insufficient funds.
We can’t accept further checks from you, as your last one bounced.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To fail to cover have sufficient funds for (a draft presented against one's account).
He tends to bounce a check or two toward the end of each month, before his payday.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; to bounce.
To bound a ball on the floor
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(sometimes employing the preposition with) To have sexual intercourse.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To turn power off and back on; to reset.
See if it helps to bounce the router.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To return undelivered.
What’s your new email address? The old one bounces.
The girl in the bar told me her address was thirsty@example.com, but my mail to that address was bounced back by the server.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To land hard and lift off again due to excess momentum.
The student pilot bounced several times during his landing.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To land hard at unsurvivable velocity with fatal results.
After the mid-air collision, his rig failed and he bounced.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To mix (two or more tracks of a multi-track audio tape recording) and record the result onto a single track, in order to free up tracks for further material to be added.
Bounce tracks two and three to track four, then record the cowbell on track two.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Ready to start or go (to); moving in the direction (of).
Which way are you bound?
Is that message bound for me?
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
(with infinitive) Very likely (to), certain to
They were bound to come into conflict eventually.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
A boundary, the border which one must cross in order to enter or leave a territory.
I reached the northern bound of my property, took a deep breath and walked on.
Somewhere within these bounds you may find a buried treasure.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(archaic) To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; to knock loudly.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
(mathematics) A value which is known to be greater or smaller than a given set of values.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
A change of direction of motion after hitting the ground or an obstacle.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
A sizeable jump, great leap.
The deer crossed the stream in a single bound.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(internet) An email that returns to the sender because of a delivery failure.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
The external or limiting line, either real or imaginary, of any object or space; that which limits or restrains, or within which something is limited or restrained; limit; confine; extent; boundary.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds.
On earth's remotest bounds.
And mete the bounds of hate and love.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(archaic) Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To limit; to terminate; to fix the furthest point of extension of; - said of natural or of moral objects; to lie along, or form, a boundary of; to inclose; to circumscribe; to restrain; to confine.
Where full measure only bounds excess.
Phlegethon . . .Whose fiery flood the burning empire bounds.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
(uncountable) A genre of hip-hop music of New Orleans, characterized by often lewd call-and-response chants.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To move with a sudden spring or leap, or with a succession of springs or leaps; as the beast bounded from his den; the herd bounded across the plain.
Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds.
And the waves bound beneath me as a steedThat knows his rider.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; as, to bound a ball on the floor.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; a knock loudly.
Another bounces as hard as he can knock.
Against his bosom bounced his heaving heart.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound; as, she bounced into the room.
Out bounced the mastiff.
Bounced off his arm+chair.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Constrained or compelled; destined; certain; - followed by the infinitive; as, he is bound to succeed; he is bound to fail.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Ready or intending to go; on the way toward; going; - with to or for, or with an adverb of motion; as, a ship is bound to Cadiz, or for Cadiz.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
The bounce burst open the door.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
With a sudden leap; suddenly.
This impudent puppy comes bounce in upon me.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Held with another element, substance or material in chemical or physical union
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Secured with a cover or binding; often used as a combining form;
Bound volumes
Leather-bound volumes
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
(usually followed by `to') governed by fate;
Bound to happen
An old house destined to be demolished
He is destined to be famous
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Covered or wrapped with a bandage;
The bandaged wound on the back of his head
An injury bound in fresh gauze
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in `college-bound students';
Children bound for school
A flight destined for New York
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
Eject from the premises;
The ex-boxer's job is to bounce people who want to enter this private club
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 20, 2023
Bounce
To rebound after hitting a surface.
The ball will bounce if you drop it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Bounce
To return an email due to a delivery failure.
My email bounced because the address was wrong.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Bounce
To dismiss or expel someone.
He was bounced from the club for misbehavior.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
FAQs
Can "bounce" refer to a person's walk?
Yes, if someone walks with a spring in their step, they can be said to "bounce" as they walk.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
What does a "bounce check" mean?
It's a check that cannot be processed due to insufficient funds.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
Is "bounce" always a physical action?
No, "bounce" can also refer to metaphorical actions like bouncing an idea off someone.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
What does it mean to "bounce back"?
It means to recover or return to a normal state after a setback.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
Is "bound" always about jumping?
No, "bound" can also mean limits, restrictions, or a direction towards which something is heading.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Does "bound" always indicate a positive leap?
No, it merely indicates a leap or jump, without a positive or negative connotation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
What does "bound" mean in terms of books?
It refers to how the pages are held together, like a hardbound or softbound book.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
How is "bounce" used in digital communication?
In emails, a "bounce" means the message returned due to delivery failure.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
How is "bound" used in travel context?
It indicates direction or destination, like "Chicago-bound train."
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
How is "bound" used in terms of responsibility?
When someone is "bound" by something, it means they are obligated or committed to it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bounce" be used in sports terminology?
Yes, in many sports like basketball or tennis, the term "bounce" is used to describe the ball's rebound.
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bound" be a synonym for "tied"?
In some contexts, like being "bound by duty," it can mean being tied or obligated.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
How is "bound" used in terms of mathematics?
In math, "bounds" can represent the limits or extremes of a set or function.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bounce" imply resilience?
Yes, especially in terms like "bounce back," indicating recovery or resilience.
Janet White
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bound" refer to a relationship?
Yes, people can be "bound" together, indicating a strong connection or obligation.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
What's the noun form of "bounce"?
The noun form is also "bounce," as in "The ball has a lot of bounce."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
What does "out of bounds" mean?
It means outside the allowed or permissible limits, often used in sports.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
How is "bounce" used in the context of business meetings?
One can "bounce ideas" in meetings, seeking feedback or reactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bounce" be used in music?
Yes, "bounce" can describe a type of rhythm or a music genre, especially in hip-hop.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Can "bound" be an adjective?
Yes, as in "I'm bound to do it," indicating certainty or obligation.
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
