volley
B2Neutral; common in sports and figurative contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A simultaneous or rapid discharge of a number of projectiles (like bullets, arrows) or, in sports, a sequence of shots returned before the ball touches the ground.
Any sudden, forceful, or continuous outpouring or series of things, such as words, questions, or insults.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, also a verb. The core image is of multiple things moving through the air together. In tennis/badminton, it specifically means hitting the ball before it bounces.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences. Spelling and some collocational preferences (e.g., 'volley of gunfire' is universal).
Connotations
Identical. Sports usage is dominant in both.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly higher in UK English due to greater prevalence of football (soccer) commentary (e.g., 'volley into the net').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] volley of [N][V] a volleyvolley [N] (verb pattern: He volleyed the ball into the net.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “return fire with a volley (figurative)”
- “a volley of insults”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; possibly in 'a volley of emails/complaints'.
Academic
Rare; used in historical/military contexts.
Everyday
Common in sports news and figurative language for a series of criticisms.
Technical
Standard in tennis, football, badminton, and military terminology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The striker scored with a magnificent volley from the edge of the box.
American English
- The reporter faced a volley of questions about the scandal.
verb
British English
- She volleyed the ball straight down the line for a winner.
American English
- The senator volleyed criticisms back at her opponent during the debate.
adverb
British English
- He hit the return volley-style, without letting it bounce.
American English
- She replied volley-fashion, with a rapid series of counter-arguments.
adjective
British English
- He is known for his spectacular volley shots.
American English
- The team's volley practice improved their net game.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The football player kicked the ball in the air. It was a good volley.
- She answered a volley of questions from her teacher after the presentation.
- The tennis champion won the point with a perfectly executed backhand volley.
- The government's new policy was met with a volley of criticism from opposition parties and the press alike.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of VOLLEYball – a game where you hit the ball before it touches the ground. A 'volley' is like a group of things flying through the air together.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (a volley of questions/criticism).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'волейбол' (that's volleyball).
- Russian 'очередь' (queue) is false friend; 'volley' is about simultaneous firing, not lining up.
- In tennis, 'volley' is 'удар с лёта' or 'волей', not a generic hit.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'volley' for a single item (e.g., 'He fired a volley' implies many shots).
- Confusing 'volley' (airborne hit) with 'half-volley' (hit just after bounce) in sports.
- Misspelling as 'volly' or 'voley'.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these scenarios is the word 'volley' used LEAST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its most common use is in sports (tennis, football), it is frequently used figuratively for any rapid series (e.g., a volley of insults, gunfire).
They are often synonymous for gunfire. 'Salvo' is more formal and specifically military/naval. 'Volley' is broader, used in sports and general language.
A groundstroke, where the ball is hit after it has bounced on the court.
Yes, commonly. 'To volley' means to hit or strike (a ball) before it touches the ground, or to utter or direct in a rapid burst ('volley questions').