gun

gun — noun

1. a weapon that fires bullets or explosive shells through a metal tube, used for h

1.nounB1
Definition

a weapon that fires bullets or explosive shells through a metal tube, used for hunting, sport shooting, or as a tool of violence

Example

The hunter cleaned his gun carefully after each hunting trip.

collocation: clean a gun

Christopher keeps his gun in a locked safe at home.

collocation: keep a gun in a safe

Common collocations
  • clean a gun
  • load a gun
  • fire a gun
  • carry a gun
  • point a gun at
  • gun owner
  • gun license
  • gun violence
Synonyms
  • firearm

    formal term covering any gun, rifle, or pistol; used in legal and official contexts

  • handgun

    a small gun designed to be held and fired with one hand

  • rifle

    a long gun with a grooved barrel, fired from the shoulder

  • shotgun

    a gun with a smooth barrel that fires many small pellets at once

Usage Note

Subject is often a person who owns, uses, or carries the weapon. In many countries, gun ownership is strictly regulated by law.

Common Mistakes

He shot a gun to the bird.
He shot a bird with a gun.
you shoot the target with a gun, not the gun itself as the direct object of 'shoot' when referring to the target.

2. a special pistol that fires a loud bang to give the starting signal in sports li

2.nounB2
Definition

a special pistol that fires a loud bang to give the starting signal in sports like running races or swimming competitions

Example

The runners waited nervously for the starter's gun to fire.

collocation: starter's gun

Élise heard the gun and began to sprint towards the first hurdle.

collocation: hear the gun

Common collocations
  • starter's gun
  • starting gun
  • fire the gun
  • hear the gun
Synonyms
  • starting pistol

    the specific handheld device used in official races to fire the starting signal

3. a handheld device that pushes a substance or a small item out through a nozzle b

3.nounB2
Definition

a handheld device that pushes a substance or a small item out through a nozzle by applying force, for example grease, paint, or water

Example

The mechanic used a grease gun to oil the old machine's joints.

collocation: grease gun

Andrés picked up the paint gun and sprayed the wall in even strokes.

collocation: paint gun

Common collocations
  • grease gun
  • paint gun
  • water gun
  • spray gun
  • glue gun
Synonyms
  • spray gun

    the most common alternative name; often used for painting and cleaning equipment

  • nozzle gun

    a specific type of spray tool with an adjustable nozzle tip

4. a person who receives money to shoot a person chosen by someone else, often as p

4.nounC1
Definition

a person who receives money to shoot a person chosen by someone else, often as part of criminal activity

Example

The detective believed a hired gun had been brought in from the neighbouring city.

collocation: hired gun

Two men were arrested on suspicion of working as guns for the crime syndicate.

Common collocations
  • hired gun
  • work as a gun
  • send a gun
Synonyms
  • assassin

    a more formal term for a person who kills for political or financial reasons

  • hitman

    informal, specifically a male killer hired by a criminal organization

  • killer for hire

    a descriptive phrase emphasizing the commercial nature of the act

Usage Note

Commonly used in the compound 'hired gun'. This sense often appears in crime fiction, news reports, and detective stories.

Common Mistakes

The assassin used a gun to kill the target.' (ambiguous — this sentence could mean either a weapon or a person).
The assassin was a hired gun brought in from overseas.
avoid confusing the person sense with the weapon sense by adding context.

5. an outside specialist hired by a company to do a specific job that its own staff

5.nounC1
Definition

an outside specialist hired by a company to do a specific job that its own staff cannot handle

Example

The company brought in a high-priced gun to fix the failing software project.

collocation: bring in a gun

Lien worked as a gun for several start-ups that needed quick results.

Common collocations
  • hired gun
  • bring in a gun
  • call in a gun
Synonyms
  • freelance specialist

    neutral and formal, carries no criminal connotation

  • consultant

    standard business term for an outside expert brought in for advice

  • contractor

    a person hired on a short-term basis to complete a specific job

Usage Note

This sense extends from the hired-killer meaning. It is almost always informal and used in business or technical contexts. The compound 'hired gun' is more common than 'gun' alone for this sense.

6. an informal term for a person's arms when they are noticeably large and muscular

6.nounC1
Definition

an informal term for a person's arms when they are noticeably large and muscular from exercise

Example

The bodybuilder showed off his guns at the competition.

informal: show off your guns

Zola's guns were so big that the sleeves of her shirt were tight.

Common collocations
  • big guns
  • show off your guns
  • flex your guns
Synonyms
  • biceps

    the formal anatomical term for the front upper-arm muscle

  • arms

    neutral term; 'guns' carries a stronger connotation of size and strength

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural ('guns'). Very informal — appropriate in gym talk or casual conversation, but not in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

He has a big gun on his right arm.
He has big guns.
always use the plural form 'guns' for this sense; the singular 'gun' would be understood as a weapon.
Idioms

jump the gun

idiom

to do something too soon, before the appropriate time or before all preparations are complete

The company jumped the gun and announced the new phone before it was ready to sell.

Astrid jumped the gun by sending the email before the manager had approved it.

stick to your guns

idiom

to refuse to change your opinion or decision, even when others try to persuade you that you are wrong

Despite pressure from investors, the CEO stuck to her guns about the safety standards.

The lawyer stuck to his guns and refused to accept an unfair settlement.

under the gun

idiom

experiencing a lot of pressure to complete something by a specific deadline or face negative consequences

The team was under the gun to finish the project before the end of the month.

With the deadline just two days away, Iris was really under the gun to submit her report.

go great guns

idiom

to proceed or progress very quickly and successfully

The new restaurant is going great guns — there is a long line outside every evening.

The charity drive went great guns and raised twice its original target amount.

(with) all/both guns blazing

idiom

Doing something with a lot of energy and strong determination.

Maya started her new job with all guns blazing.

Did the team come out with both guns blazing in the final match?

be going great guns

idiom

To be making fast progress and doing very well.

The construction project is going great guns this month.

Is your new business going great guns already?

hold/put a gun to somebody’s head

idiom

To force someone to do something they do not want to do by threatening them.

The manager put a gun to his head and demanded overtime.

They held a gun to her head to make her sign the contract.

spike somebody’s guns

idiom

To cause an opponent's plans to fail.

The competitor spiked our guns by launching a similar product.

Did the new regulation spike the company's guns?

gun — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words refer to weapons that fire projectiles, but they differ in specificity and register. 'Firearm' is the broadest and most formal term, covering any portable gun and appearing in laws and regulations ('firearm license'). 'Handgun' and 'pistol' both refer to small guns designed for one-handed use; 'pistol' is the older term and includes revolvers, while 'handgun' is the modern legal and tactical term. 'Rifle' is a long-barrelled gun fired from the shoulder, known for accuracy over distance. 'Shotgun' also has a long barrel but fires sprays of small pellets, making it ideal for hunting birds or home defence. In casual speech, people say 'gun' for all of these. In formal writing, choose 'firearm' for general categories, 'pistol' or 'handgun' for sidearms, and 'rifle' or 'shotgun' when the specific type matters. For example: 'The police report listed the firearm as a 9mm handgun.' versus 'He grabbed his shotgun when he heard a noise downstairs.'

firearm ↗handgunrifle ↗shotgun ↗pistol ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • gun control
  • gun violence
  • gun owner
  • gun license
  • gun law
  • gun rights
  • gun barrel
  • gun battle
  • gun culture

Phrases

  • carry a gun
  • fire a gun
  • load a gun
  • draw a gun
  • put down a gun
  • aim a gun at

Prepositions

  • with a gun
  • by gun
  • gun in hand

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'gun' first appeared in English around the mid-14th century as 'gunne', referring to a large cannon or ballista. The most widely accepted explanation is that it was shortened from the Old Norse female name 'Gunnhildr' (composed of 'gunnr' meaning battle and 'hildr' meaning war), which was used as a nickname for a large military weapon — a common practice in medieval Europe. By the 15th century, 'gun' had shifted from describing large artillery pieces to handheld firearms as those became common. The verb sense 'to accelerate an engine' emerged in the early 20th century alongside the automobile, comparing the sudden burst of speed to a bullet being fired.