verb
hurl
hurl
Hurl (verb) means to throw something with great force. Example: “He hurled the rock as far as he could into the lake.”
verb
1
To throw something with great force.
"He hurled the rock as far as he could into the lake."
"She hurled her phone across the room in frustration."
2
To shout harsh or abusive words at someone.
"Fans hurled insults at the referee after the call."
3
To vomit.
"He felt so sick on the boat that he thought he might hurl."
How to use hurl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo throw something hard, to yell abuse at someone, or (informally) to be sick.
When to use it
The "vomit" sense is very informal/slang.
Common pairings
hurl abuse
hurl a rock
hurl insults
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Word forms
- Plural
- hurls
- Third person singular
- hurls
- Past tense
- hurled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the rock as far as he could into the lake.
Etymology
From Middle English hurlen, likely imitating the sound of something being flung violently — related to hurry and hurtle.
Related words
Rhymes for hurl
See all rhymes for hurl →Frequently asked questions
What does “hurl” mean?
The word “hurl” means to throw something with great force. In plain terms, to throw something hard, to yell abuse at someone, or (informally) to be sick.
How do you pronounce “hurl”?
“Hurl” is pronounced hurl (/hɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “hurl” in a sentence?
Here is “hurl” used in a sentence: “He hurled the rock as far as he could into the lake.”
What part of speech is “hurl”?
“Hurl” is a verb.
Where does the word “hurl” come from?
The word “hurl” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hurlen, likely imitating the sound of something being flung violently — related to hurry and hurtle.
How many meanings does “hurl” have?
“Hurl” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to throw something with great force.
