active shooter
/ˌæk.tɪv ˈʃuːtɚ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.00 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see active, shooter.
Example Sentences
- "In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims."
- "“When you have an active shooter going after people at random—a shooter with a plan,” he said, “that's completely different than your typical barricade hostage situation.”"
- "Today, the sound of gunshots often prompts “active shooter” warnings on social media, whether or not the event fits the F.B.I.’s definition of the term. In many cases, reports of active shooters have turned out to be false."
- "Although I had been an active shooter since I was thirteen as a young twenty-five year old^([sic]) police officer I was convinced by a Coast Guard firearms instructor to abstain from shooting a live round for six months in order to rid myself of a badly reconditioned motor response."
- "First there is the active shooter who is highly interested in either competition or hunting."
- "Today Howard is still an active shooter and still enjoys hunting the local game."
Etymology
The sense “individual engaged in a shooting spree” was popularized in the wake of the Columbine High School massacre (1999).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌæk.tɪv ˈʃuːtɚ/
Usage
- American usage