Bouncy describes something that springs back when you push on it, or someone full of energetic movement. A bouncy ball rebounds high off the ground instead of just thudding down and stopping. A bouncy castle at a carnival has an inflated floor that gives under your weight and then pushes back up, making every step feel like a little jump.

The word also describes people who move with spring and energy. A bouncy puppy bounds around the room, unable to sit still. Your little sister might be so bouncy on Christmas morning that she practically hops down the stairs. When someone walks with a bouncy step, they seem to have extra lift in their movements, like they're fighting the urge to skip.

Materials can be bouncy too. A trampoline, a rubber mat, even a particularly springy mattress all have that quality of giving under pressure and then pushing back. Hair can be called bouncy when it has volume and movement rather than hanging flat and limp.

The word carries a cheerful feeling. Bouncy music has an upbeat rhythm that makes you want to move. When someone has a bouncy personality, they're energetic and enthusiastic, bringing liveliness to whatever they do.