volley
gb/vˈɑli/ us/vˈɑli/
B2
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
many things at once or quickly
Several things, like shots or questions, that come very fast at the same time or one after another.
Usage pattern:
a volley of [shots/questions/insults]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *volley* to mean just one shot or one question. A *volley* is always several things coming quickly together, so it is usually used in the pattern *a volley of [things]*.
Synonyms
barrage (Often suggests a heavy, continuous attack of things like questions or criticism; more formal and commonly used for non-physical things.)
Antonyms
trickle (Describes things coming slowly and in small numbers, the opposite of many things coming quickly together.)
Collocations
a volley of shots
|a volley of gunfire
|a volley of questions
|a volley of abuse
|a volley of criticism
|a fresh volley
Themes
violence
|communication
|military
|media
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police fired a volley of rubber bullets to push back the crowd.
- The minister was met with a volley of questions as soon as she left the meeting room.
- Fans shouted a volley of abuse at the referee after the final whistle.
- Her tweet triggered a fresh volley of criticism from opposition leaders.
- A sudden volley of gunfire broke the silence of the night.
Learner examples
- The player heard a volley of loud boos from the crowd.
- The reporter asked a volley of questions after the speech.
- He sent a volley of angry emails to his boss.
- The soldiers suddenly heard a volley of shots nearby.
Noun
technical
C1
action
2
sports: hit ball before bounce
In sports, a hit or kick when a player hits the ball before it touches the ground.
Usage pattern:
[someone] hits/scores with a volley
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *volley* in sports only refers to volleyball. It is also common in tennis and soccer (football) to mean hitting or kicking the ball before it bounces.
Synonyms
shot (A very general sports term; it does not say that the ball is hit before it bounces, while *volley* does.)
Antonyms
groundstroke (In tennis, a ball that is hit after it bounces, the opposite of a volley which is hit before it bounces.)
Collocations
a powerful volley
|a backhand volley
|score with a volley
|hit a volley
|on the volley
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She finished the point with a sharp backhand volley at the net.
- The striker scored with a powerful volley from the edge of the box.
- He practised his volley for an hour, trying to hit the ball earlier and higher.
- The coach told them to move closer to the net to play more volleys.
Learner examples
- She won the point with a volley near the net.
- The player hit a strong volley into the corner.
- He scored the goal with a volley from ten meters.
- I like to watch slow-motion replays of a volley in tennis.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
to hit ball before it bounces
To hit or kick a ball before it falls and touches the ground.
Usage pattern:
[someone] volleys [the ball]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the noun and verb forms, saying things like *“He did a volley the ball”* instead of *“He volleyed the ball.”* Use *volley* as a verb directly with the object: *volley the ball*.
Synonyms
hit (Very general; does not show that the ball is contacted before it bounces the way *volley* does.)
Antonyms
let bounce (To allow the ball to touch the ground before hitting it, the opposite of volleying it.)
Collocations
volley the ball
|volley it into the net
|volley home
|volley a shot
|volley straight back
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She stepped forward and volleyed the ball straight into the open court.
- The striker controlled the pass on his chest and volleyed it into the top corner.
- He moved quickly to the net and volleyed the return back at his opponent.
- Instead of volleying, she waited and let the ball bounce before hitting it.
Learner examples
- He volleyed the ball into the goal.
- The player volleyed it back over the net.
- She likes to volley when she plays tennis.
- He tried to volley the ball but missed it.
Verb
C1
action
4
to send many things quickly
To send many things, like bullets or words, very fast, often many times or between two sides.
Usage pattern:
[someone] volleys [shots/insults/emails] (at [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *volley* for a single action, like *“He volleyed one question.”* It usually suggests several actions or items, especially when used outside of sports. For a single question or shot, use *ask* or *fire* instead.
Synonyms
bombard (Stresses a heavy and often overwhelming attack with many things, especially criticism or questions; can sound more intense than *volley*.)
Antonyms
withhold (To hold something back instead of sending or directing it, which contrasts with quickly sending many things.)
Collocations
volley insults
|volley accusations
|volley questions
|volley shots
|volley messages back and forth
Themes
violence
|communication
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two politicians volleyed accusations at each other throughout the debate.
- Gunmen volleyed shots into the air to scare the crowd.
- They volleyed emails back and forth all afternoon, trying to agree on the contract.
- Fans volleyed insults at the referee as he walked off the pitch.
Learner examples
- The two teams volleyed insults before the match.
- They volleyed emails back and forth all day.
- The soldiers volleyed shots into the dark street.
- The students volleyed questions at the new teacher.
Grammar
Dictionary form
volley
IPA
GB/vˈɑli/
US/vˈɑli/
Syllables & stress
vol - ley (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vol)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: volley
- Plural: volleys
Verb
- Base: volley
- 3rd Person Singular: volleys
- Present Participle: volleying
- Past: volleyed
Word family
Forms
volleys
noun
volleying
verb
volleyed
verb
Related words
volleyball
noun A2
Advanced or less common
volleyer
noun
Expressions
a volley of abuse
1/ə vˈɑli əv əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
many insults shouted together
Many rude or angry words shouted at someone quickly, one after another.
Examples
- He walked off the field to a volley of abuse from the home fans.
- The referee received a volley of abuse after the controversial decision.
a volley of criticism
1/ə vˈɑli əv kɹˈɪtɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
many critical remarks together
Many negative or critical comments given quickly about someone or something.
Examples
- The plan drew a volley of criticism from environmental groups.
- His remarks sparked a volley of criticism on social media.
a volley of gunfire
1/ə vˈɑli əv ɡˈʌnfˌaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
short burst of gunfire
A short, loud period when many bullets are fired at almost the same time.
Examples
- They were woken in the night by a volley of gunfire outside.
- A volley of gunfire forced the crowd to dive for cover.
a volley of questions
1/ə vˈɑli əv kwˈɛst͡ʃənz/
fixed phrase
many quick questions together
Many questions asked very quickly, one after another, often making it hard to answer them all.
Examples
- After the announcement, the CEO faced a volley of questions from reporters.
- The children greeted the visitor with a volley of questions about her job.
a volley of shots
1/ə vˈɑli əv ʃˈɑts/
fixed phrase
many shots fired together
Several gunshots that are fired very close together in time.
Examples
- A sudden volley of shots rang out from the alleyway.
- Witnesses reported hearing a volley of shots before people started to run.
on the volley
1/ˈɔn ðə vˈɑli/
fixed phrase
technical
hit ball before it bounces
In sports, by hitting or kicking the ball before it touches the ground.
Examples
- She met the cross first time and finished on the volley.
- He practised striking the ball on the volley from different angles.
volley back
1/vˈɑli bˈæk/
phrasal verb
to return quickly, often in kind
To send something back quickly after getting it, for example hitting a ball back or replying quickly with words.
Examples
- She volleyed back his serve with a strong forehand.
- When he insulted her, she volleyed back a sharp remark of her own.