bowls: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal to Formal (depending on context; sport is formal, container is everyday, slang is very informal)
Quick answer
What does “bowls” mean?
A ball used in the sport of bowls.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ball used in the sport of bowls; a deep, round container used for serving food or mixing ingredients; the action of rolling a ball in bowling or bowls.
Refers to the sport of lawn bowls; metaphorically, a geographical basin or depression; a venue for ten-pin bowling; slang for smoking marijuana from a pipe (bowl).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'bowls' overwhelmingly refers to the sport of lawn bowls (flat green/crown green). In the US, it primarily refers to the plural of a container or the game of ten-pin bowling. The UK also uses 'bowl' for a large, deep dish (pudding bowl); the US equivalent might be 'mixing bowl'.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with the traditional sport, often played by older adults. US: Stronger association with ten-pin bowling as a social/leisure activity, or with cereal/food bowls.
Frequency
The sport sense is far more frequent in UK English. The container sense is frequent in both. The verb form is equally frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “bowls” in a Sentence
He bowls a fast delivery. (Verb + Direct Object)She put the fruit in the bowls. (Prepositional Object)They play bowls every Thursday. (Verb + Direct Object)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bowls” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He bowls a brilliant leg break every time.
- She bowls for the county team.
American English
- He bowls a perfect strike in the tenth frame.
- She bowls every Tuesday night at the alley.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific retail (homeware, sporting goods).
Academic
Rare, except in historical/archaeological contexts (e.g., 'clay bowls').
Everyday
Very common (kitchen items, leisure activities).
Technical
In sports science (biomechanics of bowling), in geology (river basins, oceanic bowls).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bowls”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bowls”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bowls”
- Using 'bowls' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'a bowls'; correct: 'a bowl'). Confusing 'bowls' (sport) with 'bowling' (ten-pin).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily the plural form of the noun 'bowl'. However, it can also be the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to bowl' (e.g., 'He bowls well').
In the UK, 'bowls' refers to lawn bowls (on a green). 'Bowling' can refer to ten-pin bowling, crown green bowling, or the action in cricket. In the US, 'bowling' is ten-pin, and 'bowls' is not used for sport.
Yes, but the word 'bowls' as a verb is the conjugated form 'he/she/it bowls'. The base form is 'bowl'. E.g., 'She bowls professionally.'
A 'bowls club' is a social and sporting club where the game of lawn bowls is played. It is a very common institution in the UK, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations.
A ball used in the sport of bowls.
Bowls is usually informal to formal (depending on context; sport is formal, container is everyday, slang is very informal) in register.
Bowls: in British English it is pronounced /bəʊlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /boʊlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life isn't all beer and skittles (UK variant: '...and bowls')”
- “to bowl someone over (to surprise/impress)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The OWL rolls BOWLS. Imagine an owl using its talons to roll balls in a lawn game.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER AS A BOWL (for emotions, ideas: 'a bowl of sadness'), LIFE IS A GAME OF BOWLS (unpredictable course).
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what is the MOST COMMON everyday meaning of 'bowls'?