Bounce vs. Jiggle: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Bounce implies rebounding off a surface, while jiggle involves quick, small, repetitive motion. One returns; the other oscillates."
Key Differences
"Bounce" generally refers to the motion of an object falling onto a surface and rebounding due to elasticity or force. It's a larger, more forceful action, often involving a change in direction. On the other hand, "jiggle" signifies a lighter, quicker movement, often back and forth or up and down, usually caused by a gentle shaking or tapping, not requiring a hard surface to initiate the motion.
In terms of energy, "bounce" requires an initial force or energy for the action to occur, like a ball hitting the ground and springing back up. "Jiggle," however, is often a continuation of energy, a series of small, rapid movements, like a plate of gelatin quivering when moved.
"Bounce" can also imply resilience, as in bouncing back from difficulties, indicating a return to a prior state after encountering resistance or setback. In contrast, "jiggle" doesn't imply a return to an original state but is more about a consistent, often playful, oscillation.
In usage, "bounce" is often related to sports or physical activities, indicative of objects like balls or actions like jumping. "Jiggle," however, is commonly used in relation to body parts or more fluid substances, indicating a less structured, more wobbly movement.
"Bounce" and "jiggle" also differ in sound representation or onomatopoeia. "Bounce" implies a heavier, more pronounced sound, such as a basketball bouncing on a court. "Jiggle," however, suggests a lighter, less distinct sound, like keys jiggling in a pocket.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Motion
Rebounding
Shaking
Energy
Requires initial force
Continuation of energy
Sound
Pronounced
Lighter
Contextual Usage
Sports, resilience
Light movement, playfulness
Physical Requirement
Hard surface
No hard surface necessary
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Bounce and Jiggle Definitions
Bounce
To rebound after hitting a surface.
The ball will bounce if you throw it hard enough.
Jiggle
To move with quick, short movements up and down or from side to side.
She couldn't stop jiggling her leg during the interview.
Bounce
To move up and down repeatedly.
The excited child continued to bounce on the bed.
Jiggle
A rapid, shaky motion.
The machine made a strange jiggle before it started working.
Bounce
To move with liveliness or energy.
She would bounce into the room with an infectious energy.
Jiggle
To fidget or play with something in one's hands.
Stop jiggling the keys; you're making me nervous.
Bounce
To be dismissed or rejected.
The check will bounce if there's not enough money in the account.
Jiggle
A wobbly, unstable movement.
The jelly on the plate gave a jiggle as it was set on the table.
Bounce
To rebound after having struck an object or a surface.
Jiggle
To move or rock lightly up and down or to and fro in an unsteady, jerky manner
The gelatin jiggled on the plate.
Bounce
To move jerkily; bump
The car bounced over the potholes.
Jiggle
To cause to jiggle.
Bounce
To bound
Children bouncing into the room.
Jiggle
A jiggling motion.
Bounce
To be left unpaid because of an overdrawn account
A check that bounced.
Jiggle
A relatively weak shaking movement.
Give the key a jiggle and see if it opens.
Bounce
(Computers) To be sent back by a mail server as undeliverable
That email bounced because I used "com" instead of "net.".
Jiggle
(transitive) To shake something gently; to rattle or wiggle.
Jiggle the handle and see if the water stops.
Bounce
(Baseball) To hit a ground ball to an infielder
The batter bounced out to the shortstop.
Jiggle
(intransitive) To shake, rattle, or wiggle.
The jelly jiggled in the bowl for a few moments after it was set down.
Bounce
To cause to strike an object or a surface and rebound
Bounce a ball on the sidewalk.
Jiggle
To wriggle or frisk about; to move awkwardly; to shake up and down.
Bounce
To present or propose for comment or approval. Often used with off
Bounced a few ideas off my boss.
Jiggle
A slight irregular shaking motion
Bounce
To expel by force
Bounced him from the bar.
Jiggle
Move to and fro;
Don't jiggle your finger while the nurse is putting on the bandage!
Bounce
To dismiss from employment.
Jiggle
To cause something to move with quick, short movements.
He jiggled the door handle to see if it was locked.
Bounce
To write (a check) on an overdrawn bank account.
Bounce
A rebound, as of a ball from the ground.
Bounce
A sudden bound or upward movement
The bike went over the rock with a bounce.
Bounce
The capacity to rebound; spring
A ball with bounce.
Bounce
A sudden increase
Got a bounce in the polls.
Bounce
Cheerfulness or liveliness
"He had managed to recover much of his bounce and spirit" (Paul Auster).
Bounce
(Slang) Expulsion; dismissal
Was given the bounce from the job.
Bounce
A fast, energetic style of hip-hop originating in New Orleans and characterized by repetitive, often sexual call-and-response lyrics.
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.
Bounce
Chiefly British Loud, arrogant speech; bluster.
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.
Bounce
(intransitive) To move quickly up and then down, or vice versa, once or repeatedly.
He bounces nervously on his chair.
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.
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.
Bounce
(intransitive) To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound.
She bounced happily into the room.
Bounce
To move rapidly (between).
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.
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.
Bounce
To leave.
Let’s wrap this up, I gotta bounce.
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Bounce
(sometimes employing the preposition with) To have sexual intercourse.
Bounce
To attack unexpectedly.
The squadron was bounced north of the town.
Bounce
To turn power off and back on; to reset.
See if it helps to bounce the router.
Bounce
To return undelivered.
What’s your new email address? The old one bounces.
The girl in the bar told me her address was thirsty@example.com, but my mail to that address was bounced back by the server.
Bounce
To land hard and lift off again due to excess momentum.
The student pilot bounced several times during his landing.
Bounce
To land hard at unsurvivable velocity with fatal results.
After the mid-air collision, his rig failed and he bounced.
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.
Bounce
To bully; to scold.
Bounce
To boast; to bluster.
Bounce
(archaic) To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; to knock loudly.
Bounce
A change of direction of motion after hitting the ground or an obstacle.
Bounce
A movement up and then down (or vice versa), once or repeatedly.
Bounce
(internet) An email that returns to the sender because of a delivery failure.
Bounce
The sack, dismissal.
Bounce
A bang, boom.
Bounce
(archaic) A drink based on brandyW.
Bounce
(archaic) A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
Bounce
(archaic) Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Bounce
Scyliorhinus canicula, a European dogfish.
Bounce
(uncountable) A genre of hip-hop music of New Orleans, characterized by often lewd call-and-response chants.
Bounce
Drugs.
Bounce
Swagger.
Bounce
A good beat in music.
Bounce
A talent for leaping.
Them pro-ballers got bounce!
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.
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.
Bounce
To boast; to talk big; to bluster.
Bounce
To drive against anything suddenly and violently; to bump; to thump.
Bounce
To cause to bound or rebound; sometimes, to toss.
Bounce
To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment.
Bounce
To bully; to scold.
Bounce
A sudden leap or bound; a rebound.
Bounce
A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
The bounce burst open the door.
Bounce
An explosion, or the noise of one.
Bounce
Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer.
Bounce
A dogfish of Europe (Scyllium catulus).
Bounce
With a sudden leap; suddenly.
This impudent puppy comes bounce in upon me.
Bounce
The quality of a substance that is able to rebound
Bounce
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Bounce
Rebounding from an impact (or series of impacts)
Bounce
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Bounce
Hit something so that it bounces;
Bounce a ball
Bounce
Move up and down repeatedly
Bounce
Come back after being refused;
The check bounced
Bounce
Leap suddenly;
He bounced to his feet
Bounce
Refuse to accept and send back;
Bounce a check
Bounce
Eject from the premises;
The ex-boxer's job is to bounce people who want to enter this private club
Bounce
To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
He managed to bounce back quickly after his illness.
FAQs
Does "jiggle" imply instability?
Often, it implies a lack of firmness or steadiness in the motion.
Does "bounce" always require a surface to rebound from?
Generally, yes, bounce typically involves rebounding off a surface.
Can "bounce" refer to non-physical resilience?
Yes, it can also indicate emotional or financial recovery or resilience.
Is "jiggle" always intentional?
No, it can be an accidental or involuntary motion.
Is "jiggle" always a smaller movement?
Typically, yes, jiggle refers to quick, small, repetitive motions.
Can "jiggle" be involuntary?
Yes, it can refer to involuntary shaking or repetitive motion.
What does a "bounce rate" refer to?
In web analytics, it's the percentage of visitors who leave a site after viewing only one page.
Can "jiggle" indicate nervousness?
Yes, people often jiggle legs or hands as a nervous habit.
Is "bounce" only used in a physical context?
No, it's also used metaphorically, like in "bouncing back" from a problem.
Can you "bounce" an idea off someone?
Yes, it means to share an idea with someone to get their feedback.
Does "jiggle" have a musical connotation?
Sometimes, it's used to describe the playful rhythm or movement in dance or music.
Is "jiggling" a form of exercise?
Some exercises involve jiggling motions, but it's not a formal exercise category.
Can "bounce" refer to email?
Yes, a "bounced" email is one that is returned to the sender due to an issue.
Is there a "bouncing" dance move?
Yes, some dances include bouncing movements.
What's a "bounce house"?
It's an inflatable structure where children can jump and bounce.
Can "jiggling" help in loosening something fixed?
Yes, jiggling can sometimes loosen tight or stuck objects.
Can a price "bounce"?
Yes, in finance, a price can bounce, or recover after a decline.
Can a machine "jiggle"?
Yes, if it's in motion or has loose parts, it might jiggle.
Does "jiggle" imply playfulness?
Often, it's associated with playful or light-hearted movement.
Can you "bounce" in sports?
Yes, many sports involve bouncing, like basketball.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
