1 B1 idiomatic informal
To enter a room or place with obvious energy, cheerfulness, or enthusiasm.
"She bounced in with a huge smile, clearly delighted by the news."
bounce in
B1 informal intransitive
To enter a place with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
In plain English
To come into a room or place in a very happy and lively way.
What does "bounce in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
For a ball or object to enter a space after rebounding off a surface.
"The tennis ball bounced in just inside the baseline — the shot was good."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically bounce (spring up and down) while moving inward.
Actually means
To come into a room or place in a very happy and lively way.
Usage tip
Almost always used to describe a person entering with noticeable energy or cheerfulness. The tone is positive or endearing. Often used in narrative descriptions.
Words that pair with "bounce in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
room office cheerfully excitedly happily energetically
How to conjugate "bounce in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bounce in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bounces in
he/she/it
Past simple
bounced in
yesterday
Past participle
bounced in
have + pp
-ing form
bouncing in
continuous
Hear "bounce in" in the wild
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Other ways to say "bounce in"
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