Arrow vs. Bullet — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Arrows are long, slender shafts with a pointed tip, primarily used in archery or as historical weapons, whereas bullets are small metal projectiles for firearms, designed for rapid and precise delivery.
Difference Between Arrow and Bullet
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Arrows are typically made from materials like wood, carbon fiber, or aluminum, featuring a pointed head, which can be either broad or narrow, depending on their intended use. On the other hand, bullets are generally made from lead or a lead alloy, often encased in a harder metal like copper.
Arrows are propelled by the elastic energy stored in a bow when drawn and released. In contrast, bullets are propelled by the explosive force of powder ignited within the cartridge of a firearm.
Arrows have been used since ancient times, primarily for hunting and warfare. Bullets, however, came into common use with the development of firearms in the 15th century, revolutionizing combat and hunting practices.
Arrows can be retrieved and reused if they remain undamaged after firing. On the other hand, bullets are typically not reusable as they deform upon impact and are often left embedded in the target or scattered in the environment.
Comparison Chart
Material
Wood, carbon fiber, aluminum
Lead, copper
ADVERTISEMENT
Stabilization
Fletchings or vanes
Aerodynamic shape, rifling spin
Historical Use
Since ancient times for hunting and warfare
Since the 15th century in firearms
Reusability
Often reusable if undamaged
Generally not reusable
Compare with Definitions
Arrow
A missile weapon of ancient and medieval warfare.
The castle defenders fired arrows from their bows at the approaching army.
Bullet
Refers to something that moves very fast.
He drove down the street like a bullet.
Arrow
Used in sports and recreational archery.
She purchased a set of arrows for her upcoming archery competition.
Bullet
A small metal projectile part of a cartridge, used with firearms.
The detective found a bullet lodged in the wall.
Arrow
An element in a diagram showing direction or flow.
The arrow in the flowchart indicated the next step in the process.
Bullet
Used in military, law enforcement, and personal defense.
Soldiers loaded bullets into their magazines before the patrol.
Arrow
A symbol or indicator in a graphical user interface pointing direction.
Click the arrow to scroll to the next page.
Bullet
Used metaphorically to mean a very brief piece of important information.
Give me the bullet points of the meeting.
Arrow
A projectile with a pointed tip and stabilizing vanes at the tail, shot from a bow.
He skillfully shot the arrow through the center of the target.
Bullet
A symbol used in lists to introduce items.
The report used bullets to highlight key points.
Arrow
An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers called fletchings mounted near the rear, and a slot at the rear end called nock for engaging the bowstring.
Bullet
A metal projectile for firing from a rifle, revolver, or other small firearm, typically cylindrical and pointed, and sometimes containing an explosive.
Arrow
A weapon consisting of a thin, straight stick with a sharp point, designed to be shot from a bow
I've never used a bow and arrow
The road continues straight as an arrow
Bullet
A small symbol used to introduce each item in a list, for emphasis.
Arrow
Move or appear to move swiftly and directly
Lights arrowed down into the airport
Bullet
A stick of lipstick (considered separately from the tube in which it is encased)
You can apply your lipstick straight from the bullet but I like to use a brush
Arrow
A missile having a straight thin shaft and typically having a pointed head at one end and flight-stabilizing vanes at the tail end, meant to be shot from a bow.
Bullet
Such a projectile in a metal casing; a cartridge.
Arrow
Something, such as a directional symbol, that is similar to an arrow in form or function.
Bullet
An object resembling a projectile in shape, action, or effect.
Arrow
To move like an arrow.
Bullet
(Printing) A heavy dot (·) used to highlight a particular passage.
Arrow
To shoot with an arrow
Arrowed a deer.
Bullet
(informal) An entire round of unfired ammunition for a firearm, including the projectile, the cartridge casing, the propellant charge, etc.
Arrow
A projectile consisting of a shaft, a point and a tail with stabilizing fins that is shot from a bow.
Bullet
Ammunition for a sling or slingshot which has been manufactured for such use.
Arrow
A sign or symbol used to indicate a direction (e.g. →).
Bullet
(typography) A printed symbol in the form of a solid circle, “•”, often used to mark items in a list.
Arrow
(graph theory) A directed edge.
Bullet
A large scheduled repayment of the principal of a loan; a balloon payment.
Arrow
A dart.
Bullet
A rejection letter, as for employment, admission to a school or a competition.
John's not going to any of his top schools; he got a bullet from the last of them yesterday.
Arrow
(computing) The -> symbol, which has specific meanings in various programming languages.
Bullet
(slang) One year of prison time.
Arrow
(botany) The inflorescence or tassel of a mature sugar cane plant.
Bullet
(slang) An ace (the playing card).
Arrow
(intransitive) To move swiftly and directly (like an arrow).
Bullet
(figuratively) Anything that is projected extremely fast.
Arrow
(transitive) To let fly swiftly and directly.
Bullet
(in attributive use) Very fast speedy.
Bullet train; bullet chess
Arrow
To develop an inflorescence.
Bullet
Chess played at an extremely fast time control, with one minute given to each player. (bullet chess)
Arrow
To navigate using the arrow keys.
Arrow left until you reach the start of the text you want to delete.
Bullet
(fishing) A plumb or sinker.
Arrow
A missile weapon of offense, slender, pointed, and usually feathered and barbed, to be shot from a bow.
Bullet
The heavy projectile thrown in a game of road bowling.
Arrow
A mark to indicate a direction or relation
Bullet
(Australia) A roughly bullet-shaped sweet consisting of a cylinder of liquorice covered in chocolate.
Arrow
A projectile with a straight thin shaft and an arrowhead on one end and stabilizing vanes on the other; intended to be shot from a bow
Bullet
(obsolete) A small ball.
Bullet
(obsolete) A cannonball.
Bullet
(obsolete) The fetlock of a horse.
Bullet
A notation used on pop music charts to indicate that a song is climbing in the rankings.
Bullet
A young or little bull; a male calf.
Bullet
To draw attention to (text) by, or as if by, placing a graphic bullet in front of it.
Bullet
To speed, like a bullet.
Their debut started slow, but bulleted to number six in its fourth week.
Bullet
To make a shot, especially with great speed.
He bulleted a header for his first score of the season.
Bullet
A small ball.
Bullet
A missile, usually of lead, and round or elongated in form, to be discharged from a rifle, musket, pistol, or other small firearm.
Bullet
A cannon ball.
A ship before Greenwich . . . shot off her ordnance, one piece being charged with a bullet of stone.
Bullet
The fetlock of a horse.
Bullet
A high-speed passenger train
Bullet
(baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity;
He swung late on the fastball
He showed batters nothing but smoke
Common Curiosities
How are arrows propelled?
Arrows are propelled using the elastic energy from a bow.
What materials are arrows made from?
Arrows are typically made from wood, carbon fiber, or aluminum.
Can arrows be reused?
Yes, arrows can often be retrieved and reused if they are not damaged.
What are the stabilizing features of an arrow?
Arrows have fletchings or vanes that stabilize their flight.
What helps stabilize a bullet in flight?
Bullets are stabilized by their aerodynamic shape and the spin from the rifling.
What is a bullet made from?
Most bullets are made from a lead alloy, sometimes encased in copper.
Are bullets reusable?
No, bullets are generally not reusable after being fired.
How are bullets propelled?
Bullets are propelled by the explosive ignition of powder in a cartridge.
What was the historical use of arrows?
Arrows have been used since ancient times for hunting and warfare.
When did bullets become common?
Bullets became common with the advent of firearms in the 15th century.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Pale vs. Pall
Next Comparison
Congregation vs. TempleAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
