bowling bag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-FrequencyEveryday, Fashion/Retail
Quick answer
What does “bowling bag” mean?
A long, narrow bag with a single strap, originally designed to carry a bowling ball and shoes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, narrow bag with a single strap, originally designed to carry a bowling ball and shoes.
A type of handbag or fashion accessory, typically cylindrical in shape with a top zipper and a single long strap, inspired by the design of bags used by bowlers. It is now predominantly a fashion item for carrying personal items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties, but the fashion item is more widely recognized and marketed in American English. The original sports equipment bag is the same object in both cultures.
Connotations
In fashion contexts, it carries connotations of a specific, often retro or sporty, style. In sports contexts, it is purely functional.
Frequency
More frequently encountered in American fashion media and retail. In the UK, it may be less common as a standalone term outside of specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bowling bag” in a Sentence
[Subject] carried/carries a bowling bag.She packed her things into her bowling bag.The bowling bag [Verb: sits/leans/rests] by the door.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bowling bag” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was bowling-bagging his gear to the alley. (Non-standard, very rare)
American English
- (No standard verb use)
adjective
British English
- She preferred the bowling-bag style of handbag. (Hyphenated compound adjective)
American English
- She loved that bowling bag look. (Noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, fashion manufacturing, and marketing to describe a product category.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in studies of semantic shift, fashion history, or material culture.
Everyday
Used to describe a specific style of handbag or to refer to sports equipment.
Technical
In sporting goods, refers specifically to a bag designed for bowling equipment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bowling bag”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bowling bag”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bowling bag”
- Using 'bowling bag' to refer to any large sports bag. It is shape-specific.
- Assuming it always relates to the sport of bowling in modern conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its original purpose was to carry bowling equipment, it is now primarily a style of handbag used for everyday items.
Its long, cylindrical shape, usually with a single long strap and a top zipper.
Yes. In its original sports context, it was unisex. As a fashion item, it is marketed to all genders, though historically more towards women.
A bowling bag is typically cylindrical with a single strap, while a tote is usually an open-top, rectangular bag with two shorter handles.
A long, narrow bag with a single strap, originally designed to carry a bowling ball and shoes.
Bowling bag is usually everyday, fashion/retail in register.
Bowling bag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊ.lɪŋ ˌbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊ.lɪŋ ˌbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bowler rolling a strike, then slinging their long, cylindrical BOWLING BAG over their shoulder.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPORTS EQUIPMENT IS A FASHION ACCESSORY (via design inspiration).
Practice
Quiz
In a modern fashion magazine, the term 'bowling bag' most likely refers to: