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noun A1 Beginner Common

bowl

bohl

Bowl (noun) means a round, open container used to hold or serve food such as soup, salad, or cereal. Example: “She poured the batter into a large mixing bowl.”

noun
1
A round, open container used to hold or serve food such as soup, salad, or cereal.
"She poured the batter into a large mixing bowl."
"He grabbed a bowl of cereal before rushing out the door."
2
A major American football championship game or one of several season-ending postseason games.
"Millions of people watch the Super Bowl every year."
verb
1
In cricket, to throw or deliver the ball toward the batsman according to the rules of the game.
"He was chosen to bowl the final over of the match."

How to Use Bowl

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA round dish for food, or (in cricket) to throw the ball at the batsman.

UK vs US

In the US, "bowl" also refers to postseason football games (Rose Bowl, Super Bowl); this sense is rare in British English, where "bowl" is more associated with cricket.

Common pairings
a bowl of soup mixing bowl bowl a fast ball

Word Forms

bowled past tense, bowls plural, bowls plural, bowls singular

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Fill the Gap

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She poured the batter into a large mixing _____.

Etymology

From Old English "bolla" or "bolle," meaning a cup or round vessel, going back to a Germanic root meaning "ball" or "round object."

Origin: Old English

Related Words

Rhymes for bowl

See all rhymes for bowl →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “bowl” mean?

The word “bowl” means a round, open container used to hold or serve food such as soup, salad, or cereal. In plain terms, a round dish for food, or (in cricket) to throw the ball at the batsman.

How do you pronounce “bowl”?

“Bowl” is pronounced bohl (/boʊl/ in IPA).

How do you use “bowl” in a sentence?

Here is “bowl” used in a sentence: “She poured the batter into a large mixing bowl.”

What part of speech is “bowl”?

Depending on how it is used, “bowl” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bowl” come from?

The word “bowl” comes from Old English. From Old English "bolla" or "bolle," meaning a cup or round vessel, going back to a Germanic root meaning "ball" or "round object.".

Is “bowl” a common word?

“Bowl” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “bowl” have?

“Bowl” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round, open container used to hold or serve food such as soup, salad, or cereal.

What is the difference between a bowl and a plate?

A bowl is deep and round with high sides, made to hold liquids or loose food like soup, cereal, or salad. A plate is flat and shallow, better for foods that don't roll or spill, such as steak or toast. Depth is the key difference between them.

What are the types of bowls?

Bowls are usually named by their job: cereal and soup bowls for individual meals, salad bowls, mixing bowls for cooking, serving bowls for the table, and small dipping bowls for sauces. They come in ceramic, glass, plastic, metal, and wood, in many sizes.

What is the difference between a bowl and a cup?

A cup is tall and narrow, made for drinking and often fitted with a handle. A bowl is wide and open, made for eating from with a spoon or fork. You sip from a cup but eat out of a bowl, though both can hold liquids.

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