bowl
A1Neutral, used across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
A round, deep dish or container used for holding food or liquid.
A rounded, concave part of an object; a stadium or amphitheater; to deliver a ball in cricket or to roll a ball in bowling; to move swiftly and smoothly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. As a verb, its meaning branches into sports (bowling) and general movement. The shape (round, hollow) is central to all meanings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The sports context differs: in the UK, 'to bowl' is strongly associated with cricket; in the US, with ten-pin bowling. 'Bowl' (stadium) is more common in US English (e.g., Rose Bowl).
Connotations
In UK, 'bowl' can evoke cricket, a traditional sport. In US, it evokes American football (Super Bowl) or casual bowling alleys.
Frequency
Noun form is equally common. Verb usage is frequent in both dialects but within different sporting contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bowl + [object] (He bowled a perfect game.)bowl + [prepositional phrase] (The car bowled along the road.)bowl + [person] + out (The pitcher bowled him out.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life is just a bowl of cherries.”
- “to bowl someone over (to impress or surprise)”
- “to bowl along (to move quickly and smoothly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in names (e.g., 'The Sugar Bowl' as a company).
Academic
Used in archaeology ('clay bowl'), geography ('dust bowl'), and sports science.
Everyday
Very common for food containers and casual sports.
Technical
In engineering: 'piston bowl'; in plumbing: 'toilet bowl'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hopes to bowl the Australian batsman out early.
- We spent Saturday afternoon bowling at the local lanes.
American English
- She bowled a perfect 300 game last night.
- The truck bowled down the interstate.
adjective
British English
- Bowl food is served at the wedding reception.
- He has a bowl-cut hairstyle.
American English
- Bowl games are a big part of college football.
- They ate a bowl-shaped pasta.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a bowl of cereal for breakfast.
- The bowl is on the table.
- He broke my favourite bowl.
- Could you pass me the salad bowl, please?
- She bowled very well in her first cricket match.
- We need a large mixing bowl for this recipe.
- The valley formed a natural bowl surrounded by mountains.
- The new electric car bowls along silently at high speed.
- He was completely bowled over by their generous gift.
- The Rose Bowl is an iconic American stadium.
- Geopolitical tensions have turned the region into a tinderbox, not a fertile bowl of cooperation.
- The sculptor hollowed out the wooden bowl with exquisite precision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BOWL rhymes with HOLE. A bowl is like a food hole.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR EMOTIONS/EXPERIENCES (e.g., 'a bowl of happiness'), ARENA AS CONTAINER (e.g., 'the Super Bowl').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бол' (ball).
- 'Чаша' (chalice) is more poetic/ceremonial than a practical 'bowl'.
- 'Миска' is the closest equivalent for a food bowl.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'plate' for a deep dish (a plate is flat).
- Confusing 'bowl' (dish) with 'bowl' (sports verb) in translation.
- Incorrect article: 'I ate from bowl' instead of 'from a/the bowl'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bowl' used as a verb in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In the UK, 'to bowl' primarily refers to the action in cricket. In the US, it refers to the action in ten-pin, lawn, or other types of bowling.
A bowl is deep and used for liquids or loose food. A plate is flat and for solid food. 'Dish' is a general term that can refer to both, or to a prepared food item.
Yes. It can mean a stadium (like the Super Bowl), a geographical depression, or the action of rolling a ball in sports.
It has two meanings: 1) To physically knock someone down. 2) (More common figuratively) To greatly surprise or impress someone.