Home UK English volley

Meaning of volley in English:

volley

Pronunciation /ˈvɒli/

Translate volley into Spanish

nounvolleys

  • 1A number of bullets, arrows, or other projectiles discharged at one time.

    ‘the infantry let off a couple of volleys’
    • ‘Normal war tactics involved massed ranks of lightly armed or armoured archers firing large volleys of arrows into formations of targets.’
    • ‘Royal Marines fired three volleys over the grave at the interment.’
    • ‘The archers obeyed and sent a volley of arrows onto the heads of the enemy.’
    • ‘Twenty officers mounted on horses quickly advanced, swinging batons, flanked by police on foot who fired concussion grenades and volleys of rubber bullets.’
    • ‘The frightened, penned-in cops responded with volleys of rubber bullets, tear gas and sometimes water cannons.’
    • ‘This turned out to be true, but 10,000 were murdered with volleys of arrows.’
    • ‘I looked to see a volley of arrows being launched at us.’
    • ‘Almost immediately, a volley of arrows sailed past her, shredding leaves and diving into the fertile soil.’
    • ‘They let off a volley of flaming arrows, which light up the night like mad fireflies on a rampage.’
    • ‘A volley of bullets ricocheted off the armoured walker.’
    • ‘Behind the battle line, the lieutenant of the youth's company had stopped a man who had fled after the first volley of bullets.’
    • ‘He was taking cover behind the ruined console, so he could avoid their first volley of bullets.’
    • ‘A volley of bullets ripped through the air and ricocheted into the hall.’
    • ‘They ambushed them with a volley of missiles, taking all five out at the same time.’
    • ‘As he was laid to rest, three Royal Marines fired a three-shot volley and a bugler sounded the Last Post.’
    • ‘After the banner was marched into position on the parade ground, the four full guards on parade fired volleys in the ripple-effect drill movement known as Fieu de Joie or Joy of Sound.’
    • ‘A precision attack system would not only reduce the number of volleys, it would also reduce the number of platforms needed to attack a target.’
    • ‘The French cavalry charged into this funnel, hampered by volleys of arrows and by the wet ground; the rear lines piled into the front.’
    • ‘During the ceremony, the Army, RAAF and Indonesian Defence Force provided honour guards and members of Australia's Federation Guard fired volleys over the graves.’
    • ‘Police responded by firing volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets.’
    barrage, cannonade, battery, blast, bombardment, broadside, salvo, fusillade
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1A series of utterances directed at someone in quick succession.
      ‘he unleashed a volley of angry questions’
      • ‘Maybe lesser mortals would have been put off by the volley of abuse he directed at her but in the end she triumphed, aided and abetted by passers by and stallholders.’
      • ‘My poor buddy didn't know what she had done wrong and could only stare in bewilderment at the volley of words being directed at her.’
      • ‘Drunken hecklers were a different matter: the only way to handle them was to unleash a volley of abuse, humbling them with a few crushing put-downs.’
      • ‘It was then that the volley of questions started.’
      • ‘After talking about four types of venomous snakes in the country, he faced a volley of questions from child participants.’
      • ‘After the screening, he answered a volley of questions from the audience - both children and adults.’
      • ‘But on Wednesday, facing a volley of questions from his fans from different parts of Tamil Nadu might not have been that easy.’
      • ‘Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease.’
      • ‘The actor faces a volley of questions relating to the accusation that the film had hurt the sentiments of the physically challenged.’
      • ‘They oozed confidence and nothing could deter them - not even the volley of questions posed by judges.’
      • ‘Armed with their knowledge, the children fired a volley of questions at her.’
      • ‘Fifteen minutes into the usual volley of questions and answers, he suddenly stops, looks appalled and clasps a hand to his face.’
      • ‘For an agonizing 20 minutes, he politely fielded a volley of impertinent questions.’
      succession, series, string, chain
      View synonyms

  • 2(in sport, especially tennis or soccer) a strike or kick of the ball made before it touches the ground.

    ‘a forehand volley’
    • ‘The challenges included running, catching, balancing tennis balls on rackets and practising ground strokes and volleys.’
    • ‘He has won each of his first eight service points with a mixture of aces, volleys and ground strokes.’
    • ‘The Liverpool striker scored with a volley that took the breath away.’
    • ‘The striker shifted the ball from his right to left foot and unleashed a volley into the corner of the net, his 20th goal of the season.’
    • ‘Lee was obviously the best player, executing his shots, serves and volleys with the greatest of ease.’

verbvolleys, volleying, volleyed

[with object]

  • 1(in sport, especially tennis or soccer) strike or kick (the ball) before it touches the ground.

    ‘she volleyed the ball home’
    • ‘he took his chance well, volleying into the top corner from 25 yards’
    • ‘He chipped the ball over the head of a defender before volleying the ball to the back of the net from inside the penalty area.’
    • ‘Once you have mastered this routine, work on repeating the drill but volley each ball.’
    • ‘Instead of volleying the ball he would score goals in training with his knees.’
    • ‘She volleyed the ball over to Evelyn's half of the court.’
    • ‘But for once the luck is with him - he volleys the rebound spectacularly into the net.’

  • 2Utter or discharge in quick succession.

    ‘the dog was volleying joyful barks’
    • ‘Before she could volley back a smart reply, he offered her his arm.’
    • ‘Both sides sung their national anthems with not a hint of booing, and spent most of the game indulging in volleying songs back and forth.’

Origin

Late 16th century from French volée, based on Latin volare ‘to fly’.