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."
"The dog drank noisily from his bowl of fresh water."
2
A major American football championship game or one of several season-ending postseason games.
"Millions of people watch the Super Bowl every year."
"Our friends hold a party every year to watch the big bowl game together."
"The university team was thrilled to be invited to a bowl game."
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."
"The fast bowler ran in and bowled a perfect delivery."
"I learned to bowl by practising in the back garden with my dad."
How to use bowl
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- bowls
- Third person singular
- bowls
- Past tense
- bowled
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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."
Synonyms
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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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