Bounce vs. Spring — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
Bounce involves rebounding after hitting a surface; spring denotes a sudden leap or rapid movement.
Difference Between Bounce and Spring
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bounce refers to the action of an object or person rebounding off a surface after a forceful impact, typically involving an elastic or resilient quality. Whereas spring involves a rapid and energetic leap or jump, often powered by a mechanism or muscular effort, implying a swift movement from one position to another.
When an object bounces, it is the elasticity and the force of impact that dictate the height and speed of the rebound. On the other hand, when something springs, it is usually the result of stored energy being released, as in a spring mechanism, or a sudden exertion of force, such as muscles propelling the body upward or forward.
Bouncing is commonly associated with balls, rubber objects, or certain activities that involve resilience, such as trampolining. Springing, however, is often used to describe actions of living beings, like a cat springing onto a ledge, or mechanical actions, like a trap springing shut.
A bounce can be passive, relying on the inherent qualities of the object and the forces acting upon it. Springing, by contrast, is an active process, involving a deliberate effort or trigger that initiates the motion.
In metaphorical use, to bounce back from a setback refers to recovering or returning to a former state after a defeat or failure. To spring into action, however, implies a sudden and decisive move in response to a situation, often without prior momentum or warning.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Rebounding after hitting a surface
A sudden leap or rapid movement
Energy Source
Elasticity and impact force
Stored energy or muscular effort
Common Associations
Balls, rubber objects, resilience
Living beings, mechanical actions
Nature
Passive
Active
Movement Quality
Elastic rebound
Energetic leap or jump
Metaphorical Use
Recovery from setback
Sudden initiation of action
Compare with Definitions
Bounce
To rebound after hitting a surface.
The ball bounced off the wall.
Spring
To emerge or appear suddenly.
Flowers spring up in the garden.
Bounce
Movement characterized by rebounding.
The puppy's bounce excitedly around the yard.
Spring
To start into action.
She sprang into action at the sound of the alarm.
Bounce
A return to form after a decline.
The company's stock bounced back after the initial slump.
Spring
To leap or jump suddenly.
The cat sprang onto the counter.
Bounce
The ability of a surface to rebound.
This mattress has a good bounce.
Spring
A rapid movement from a position.
He sprang to his feet.
Bounce
A resilient or lively personality.
She has a bounce in her step that's infectious.
Spring
To release or be released from a constrained position.
The trap sprang shut.
Bounce
(with reference to an object, especially a ball) move quickly up, back, or away from a surface after hitting it
He was bouncing the ball against the wall
The ball bounced away and he chased it
Spring
To move upward or forward in a single quick motion or a series of such motions; leap
The goat sprang over the log.
Bounce
Jump repeatedly up and down, typically on something springy
Emma was happily bouncing up and down on the mattress
Spring
To move suddenly, especially because of being resilient or moved by a spring
I let the branch spring forward. The door sprang shut.
Bounce
(of a cheque) be returned by a bank to the payee when there are not enough funds in the drawer's account to meet it
A further two cheques of £160 also bounced
Spring
To start doing something suddenly
The firefighters sprang into action.
Bounce
Eject (a troublemaker) forcibly from a nightclub or similar establishment.
Spring
To appear or come into being quickly
New businesses are springing up rapidly.
Bounce
Pressurize (someone) into doing something, typically by presenting them with a fait accompli
The government should beware being bounced into any ill-considered foreign gamble
Spring
To issue or emerge suddenly
A cry sprang from her lips. A thought springs to mind.
Bounce
A rebound of a ball or other object
The wicket was causing the occasional erratic bounce
Spring
To arise from a source; develop
Their frustration springs from a misunderstanding.
Bounce
An act of jumping or of moving up and down jerkily
Every bounce of the truck brought them into fresh contact
Spring
(intransitive) To burst forth.
Bounce
To rebound after having struck an object or a surface.
Spring
(of liquids) To gush, to flow suddenly and violently.
The boat sprang a leak and began to sink.
Bounce
To move jerkily; bump
The car bounced over the potholes.
Spring
To gush, to flow out of the ground.
Bounce
To bound
Children bouncing into the room.
Spring
(of light) To appear, to dawn.
Bounce
To be left unpaid because of an overdrawn account
A check that bounced.
Spring
(of plants) To sprout, to grow,
Bounce
(Computers) To be sent back by a mail server as undeliverable
That email bounced because I used "com" instead of "net.".
Spring
(now chiefly botanical) To grow taller or longer.
Bounce
(Baseball) To hit a ground ball to an infielder
The batter bounced out to the shortstop.
Spring
To rise from cover.
Bounce
To cause to strike an object or a surface and rebound
Bounce a ball on the sidewalk.
Spring
(of landscape) To come dramatically into view.
Bounce
To present or propose for comment or approval. Often used with off
Bounced a few ideas off my boss.
Spring
(figurative) to arise, to come into existence.
Hope springs eternal.
He hit the gas and the car sprang to life.
Bounce
To expel by force
Bounced him from the bar.
Spring
To move with great speed and energy; to leap, to jump; to dart, to sprint; of people: to rise rapidly from a seat, bed, etc.
Deer spring with their hind legs, using their front hooves to steady themselves.
He sprang to his feet.
A bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.
Don't worry. She'll spring back to her cheerful old self in no time.
It was the first thing that sprang to mind.
She sprang to her husband's defense and clocked the protestor.
Bounce
To dismiss from employment.
Spring
(usually with from) To be born, descend, or originate from
He sprang from peasant stock.
Bounce
To write (a check) on an overdrawn bank account.
Spring
To descend or originate from.
The Stoics sprang from the Cynics.
Bounce
A rebound, as of a ball from the ground.
Spring
(obsolete) To rise in social position or military rank, to be promoted.
Bounce
A sudden bound or upward movement
The bike went over the rock with a bounce.
Spring
To become known, to spread.
Bounce
The capacity to rebound; spring
A ball with bounce.
Spring
To emit, to spread.
Bounce
A sudden increase
Got a bounce in the polls.
Spring
To grow.
Bounce
Cheerfulness or liveliness
"He had managed to recover much of his bounce and spirit" (Paul Auster).
Spring
(transitive) To cause to burst forth.
Bounce
(Slang) Expulsion; dismissal
Was given the bounce from the job.
Spring
To cause to well up or flow out of the ground.
Bounce
A style of dance performed to this music characterized by rapid body movements, especially of the gluteal and hamstring muscles in a way that resembles bouncing while keeping the feet on the ground.
Spring
To bring forth.
Bounce
Chiefly British Loud, arrogant speech; bluster.
Spring
To cause to become known, to tell of.
Bounce
(intransitive) To change the direction of motion after hitting an obstacle.
The tennis ball bounced off the wall before coming to rest in the ditch.
Spring
To cause to move energetically; (equestrianism) to cause to gallop, to spur.
Bounce
(intransitive) To move quickly up and then down, or vice versa, once or repeatedly.
He bounces nervously on his chair.
Spring
To cause to rise from cover.
His dogs sprang the grouse and partridges and flushed the woodcock.
Bounce
(transitive) To cause to move quickly up and down, or back and forth, once or repeatedly.
He bounced the child on his knee.
The children were bouncing a ball against a wall.
Spring
To shift quickly from one designated position to another.
Bounce
To suggest or introduce (an idea, etc.) to (off or by) somebody, in order to gain feedback.
I'm meeting Bob later to bounce some ideas off him about the new product range.
Spring
To breed with, to impregnate.
Bounce
(intransitive) To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound.
She bounced happily into the room.
Spring
(of mechanisms) To cause to work or open by sudden application of pressure.
He sprang the trap.
Bounce
To move rapidly (between).
Spring
To make wet, to moisten.
Bounce
To be refused by a bank because it is drawn on insufficient funds.
We can’t accept further checks from you, as your last one bounced.
Spring
To rise suddenly, (of tears) to well up.
The documentary made tears spring to their eyes.
Bounce
To fail to cover have sufficient funds for (a draft presented against one's account).
He tends to bounce a check or two toward the end of each month, before his payday.
Spring
To burst into pieces, to explode, to shatter.
Bounce
To leave.
Let’s wrap this up, I gotta bounce.
Spring
To go off.
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Spring
To cause to explode, to set off, to detonate.
Bounce
To attack unexpectedly.
The squadron was bounced north of the town.
Spring
To crack.
Bounce
To turn power off and back on; to reset.
See if it helps to bounce the router.
Spring
To have something crack.
Bounce
To return undelivered.
What’s your new email address? The old one bounces.
The girl in the bar told me her address was [email protected], but my mail to that address was bounced back by the server.
Spring
To cause to crack.
Bounce
To land hard and lift off again due to excess momentum.
The student pilot bounced several times during his landing.
Spring
To surprise by sudden or deft action.
Bounce
To land hard at unsurvivable velocity with fatal results.
After the mid-air collision, his rig failed and he bounced.
Spring
To come upon and flush out
Bounce
To mix (two or more tracks of a multi-track audio tape recording) and record the result onto a single track, in order to free up tracks for further material to be added.
Bounce tracks two and three to track four, then record the cowbell on track two.
Spring
To catch in an illegal act or compromising position.
Bounce
To bully; to scold.
Spring
(obsolete) To begin something.
Bounce
To boast; to bluster.
Spring
(obsolete) To produce, provide, or place an item unexpectedly.
Bounce
(archaic) To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; to knock loudly.
Spring
To put bad money into circulation.
Bounce
A change of direction of motion after hitting the ground or an obstacle.
Spring
To tell, to share.
Bounce
A movement up and then down (or vice versa), once or repeatedly.
Spring
(of news, surprises) To announce unexpectedly, to reveal.
Sorry to spring it on you like this but I've been offered another job.
Bounce
(internet) An email that returns to the sender because of a delivery failure.
Spring
To free from imprisonment, especially by facilitating an illegal escape.
His lieutenants hired a team of miners to help spring him.
Bounce
The sack, dismissal.
Spring
To be free of imprisonment, especially by illegal escape.
Bounce
A bang, boom.
Spring
To build, to form the initial curve of.
They sprung an arch over the lintel.
Bounce
(archaic) A drink based on brandyW.
Spring
To extend, to curve.
The arches spring from the front posts.
Bounce
(archaic) A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
Spring
To turn a vessel using a spring attached to its anchor cable.
Bounce
(archaic) Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Spring
To raise a vessel's sheer.
Bounce
Scyliorhinus canicula, a European dogfish.
Spring
To raise a last's toe.
Bounce
(uncountable) A genre of hip-hop music of New Orleans, characterized by often lewd call-and-response chants.
Spring
(transitive) To pay or spend a certain sum, to cough up.
Bounce
Drugs.
Spring
To raise an offered price.
Bounce
Swagger.
Spring
To act as a spring: to strongly rebound.
Bounce
A good beat in music.
Spring
To equip with springs, especially to equip with a suspension.
Bounce
A talent for leaping.
Them pro-ballers got bounce!
Spring
To provide spring or elasticity
Bounce
To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; a knock loudly.
Another bounces as hard as he can knock.
Against his bosom bounced his heaving heart.
Spring
To inspire, to motivate.
Bounce
To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound; as, she bounced into the room.
Out bounced the mastiff.
Bounced off his arm+chair.
Spring
(ambitransitive) To deform owing to excessive pressure, to become warped; to intentionally deform in order to position and then straighten in place.
A piece of timber sometimes springs in seasoning.
He sprang in the slat.
Bounce
To boast; to talk big; to bluster.
Spring
To reach maturity, to be fully grown.
Bounce
To drive against anything suddenly and violently; to bump; to thump.
Spring
To swell with milk or pregnancy.
Bounce
To cause to bound or rebound; sometimes, to toss.
Spring
To sound, to play.
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Spring
(intransitive) To spend the springtime somewhere
Bounce
To bully; to scold.
Spring
(of animals) to find or get enough food during springtime.
Bounce
A sudden leap or bound; a rebound.
Spring
(countable) An act of springing: a leap, a jump.
Bounce
A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
The bounce burst open the door.
Spring
(countable) The season of the year in temperate regions in which plants spring from the ground and into bloom and dormant animals spring to life.
Spring is the time of the year most species reproduce.
You can visit me in the spring, when the weather is bearable.
Bounce
An explosion, or the noise of one.
Spring
(astronomy) The period from the moment of vernal equinox (around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere) to the moment of the summer solstice (around June 21); the equivalent periods reckoned in other cultures and calendars.
Spring Festival" throughout East Asia because it is reckoned as the beginning of their spring.
Bounce
Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Spring
(meteorology) The three months of March, April, and May in the Northern Hemisphere and September, October, and November in the Southern Hemisphere.
I spent my spring holidays in Morocco.
The spring issue will be out next week.
Bounce
A dogfish of Europe (Scyllium catulus).
Spring
The time of something's growth; the early stages of some process.
Bounce
With a sudden leap; suddenly.
This impudent puppy comes bounce in upon me.
Spring
A period of political liberalization and democratization
Arab Spring
Bounce
The quality of a substance that is able to rebound
Spring
Someone with ivory or peach skin tone and eyes and hair that are not extremely dark, seen as best suited to certain colors of clothing.
Bounce
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Spring
(countable) Something which springs, springs forth, springs up, or springs back, particularly
Bounce
Rebounding from an impact (or series of impacts)
Spring
(geology) A spray or body of water springing from the ground.
This beer was brewed with pure spring water.
Bounce
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Spring
The rising of the sea at high tide.
Bounce
Hit something so that it bounces;
Bounce a ball
Spring
(oceanography) nodot=a, the especially high tide shortly after full and new moons.
Neap tide
Bounce
Move up and down repeatedly
Spring
A mechanical device made of flexible or coiled material that exerts force and attempts to spring back when bent, compressed, or stretched.
We jumped so hard the bed springs broke.
Bounce
Come back after being refused;
The check bounced
Spring
(nautical) A line from a vessel's end or side to its anchor cable used to diminish or control its movement.
Bounce
Leap suddenly;
He bounced to his feet
Spring
(nautical) A line laid out from a vessel's end to the opposite end of an adjacent vessel or mooring to diminish or control its movement.
You should put a couple of springs onto the jetty to stop the boat moving so much.
Bounce
Refuse to accept and send back;
Bounce a check
Spring
(figurative) A race, a lineage.
Bounce
Eject from the premises;
The ex-boxer's job is to bounce people who want to enter this private club
Spring
(figurative) A youth.
Spring
A shoot, a young tree.
Spring
A grove of trees; a forest.
Spring
An erection of the penis. en
Spring
A crack which has sprung up in a mast, spar, or (rare) a plank or seam.
Spring
(uncountable) Springiness: an attribute or quality of springing, springing up, or springing back, particularly
Spring
Elasticity: the property of a body springing back to its original form after compression, stretching, etc.
The spring of a bow
Spring
Elastic energy, power, or force.
Spring
(countable) The source from which an action or supply of something springs.
Spring
(countable) Something which causes others or another to spring forth or spring into action, particularly
Spring
A cause, a motive, etc.
Spring
(obsolete) A lively piece of music.
Spring
To leap; to bound; to jump.
The mountain stag that springsFrom height to height, and bounds along the plains.
Spring
To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot.
And sudden lightSprung through the vaulted roof.
Spring
To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert.
Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring.
Spring
To fly back; as, a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.
Spring
To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as, a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning.
Spring
To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; - often followed by up, forth, or out.
Till well nigh the day began to spring.
To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth.
Do not blast my springing hopes.
O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born.
Spring
To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle.
[They found] new hope to springOut of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked.
Spring
To grow; to thrive; to prosper.
What makes all this, but Jupiter the king,At whose command we perish, and we spring?
Spring
To cause to spring up; to start or rouse, as game; to cause to rise from the earth, or from a covert; as, to spring a pheasant.
Spring
To produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly; as, to spring a surprise on someone; to spring a joke.
She starts, and leaves her bed, and springs a light.
The friends to the cause sprang a new project.
Spring
To cause to explode; as, to spring a mine.
Spring
To crack or split; to bend or strain so as to weaken; as, to spring a mast or a yard.
Spring
To cause to close suddenly, as the parts of a trap operated by a spring; as, to spring a trap.
Spring
To bend by force, as something stiff or strong; to force or put by bending, as a beam into its sockets, and allowing it to straighten when in place; - often with in, out, etc.; as, to spring in a slat or a bar.
Spring
To pass over by leaping; as, to spring a fence.
Spring
To release (a person) from confinement, especially from a prison.
Spring
A leap; a bound; a jump.
The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke.
Spring
A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former state by its elasticity; as, the spring of a bow.
Spring
Elastic power or force.
Heavens! what a spring was in his arm!
Spring
An elastic body of any kind, as steel, India rubber, tough wood, or compressed air, used for various mechanical purposes, as receiving and imparting power, diminishing concussion, regulating motion, measuring weight or other force.
Spring
Any source of supply; especially, the source from which a stream proceeds; an issue of water from the earth; a natural fountain.
Spring
Any active power; that by which action, or motion, is produced or propagated; cause; origin; motive.
Our author shuns by vulgar springs to moveThe hero's glory, or the virgin's love.
Spring
That which springs, or is originated, from a source;
Spring
That which causes one to spring; specifically, a lively tune.
Spring
The season of the year when plants begin to vegetate and grow; the vernal season, usually comprehending the months of March, April, and May, in the middle latitudes north of the equator.
Spring
The time of growth and progress; early portion; first stage; as, the spring of life.
O how this spring of love resemblethThe uncertain glory of an April day.
Spring
A crack or fissure in a mast or yard, running obliquely or transversely.
Spring
The season of growth;
The emerging buds were a sure sign of spring
He will hold office until the spring of next year
Spring
A natural flow of ground water
Spring
A metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed;
The spring was broken
Spring
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Spring
The elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
Spring
A point at which water issues forth
Spring
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Spring
Develop into a distinctive entity;
Our plans began to take shape
Spring
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Spring
Produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly;
He sprang a new haircut on his wife
Spring
Develop suddenly;
The tire sprang a leak
Spring
Produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly;
He sprang these news on me just as I was leaving
Common Curiosities
What causes an object to bounce?
An object bounces due to its elasticity and the force with which it impacts a surface, allowing it to rebound.
How does a spring mechanism work?
A spring mechanism works by storing mechanical energy when the spring is compressed or stretched, then releasing it to propel movement.
Can humans literally spring?
Yes, humans can spring in the literal sense when they perform sudden, energetic jumps or starts, using muscular force.
What does it mean to have a spring in one’s step?
Having a spring in one’s step refers to moving with an energetic and buoyant manner, often indicating happiness or vitality.
Are spring actions always intentional?
While spring actions are often deliberate, especially in living beings, mechanical springs act in response to physical forces rather than intent.
Is bouncing always vertical?
No, bouncing can occur in any direction, depending on the angle of impact and the shape of the object.
Can all objects bounce?
Not all objects bounce; the ability to bounce depends on the material's elasticity and the surface upon which it impacts.
Can bouncing be used as a form of exercise?
Yes, activities like jumping on a trampoline or using a bounce ball can be effective forms of cardiovascular and resilience-building exercise.
What’s the difference between bouncing back and springing into action?
Bouncing back is about recovery from adversity, while springing into action denotes initiating a sudden and vigorous response.
Can bounce be controlled?
The control over bounce depends on the object's material properties and the force applied; in sports, athletes train to control bounce effectively.
What metaphorical meaning does spring hold in literature?
In literature, spring often symbolizes renewal, new beginnings, or sudden changes, reflecting its nature of rapid or rejuvenating movement.
How do engineers incorporate bouncing and springing mechanisms?
Engineers incorporate bouncing and springing mechanisms in designs to absorb impact, store energy, or create rapid movement, seen in automotive suspensions or athletic footwear.
How do athletes use the concept of springing?
Athletes use springing in various sports to maximize their jump height or distance, often through training that enhances muscle power and technique.
How does surface texture affect bouncing?
Surface texture affects bouncing by influencing the amount of energy absorbed upon impact; smoother surfaces usually allow for a higher bounce.
Is there a limit to how high something can bounce?
Yes, the height to which something can bounce is limited by factors like gravity, air resistance, and the object's elasticity.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
