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

This time, Anthony Walker Jr. managed to dive and grab the carom. —Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024

Those findings indicate carom seeds may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

The ensuing free kick from the 20-yard line was made off the ground, not on a tee, and the ball caromed laterally out of bounds without touching a player, resulting in a five-yard penalty. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

San Francisco quarterback Brandon Allen delivered a strike to Deebo Samuel, and the ball caromed off the hands of the Pro Bowl wideout. —Rob Reischel, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

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

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