cast on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Technical/Craft (Knitting), Formal/Technical (Business/Computing)
Quick answer
What does “cast on” mean?
To create the first row of stitches in knitting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To create the first row of stitches in knitting; to put into a state of operation or consideration.
In a figurative or business sense, to begin a process, project, or venture; in computing/technical contexts, to initiate a new process or thread; in decision-making, to add someone or something to a pool of candidates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning difference. In knitting contexts, both use it identically. In general/procedural use, both are possible but relatively uncommon outside of specific fields like law or IT.
Connotations
In UK, it may be more readily associated with the knitting term. In US, the procedural/initiation sense might be slightly more prevalent in business/tech jargon.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency overall, but a high-frequency technical term in knitting and yarn craft communities globally.
Grammar
How to Use “cast on” in a Sentence
[Subject] casts on [Object: stitches/project/venture].[Subject] is casting on.[Subject] cast on [Object] for [Indirect Object: recipient].[Subject] was cast on for the role.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cast on” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She taught me how to cast on using the long-tail method.
- The committee cast on several new names for the shortlist.
American English
- Make sure you cast on enough stitches for the blanket width.
- The system automatically casts on new instances when demand peaks.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Not standard as an adverb)
- N/A
American English
- (Rare/Not standard as an adverb)
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The cast-on edge of her knitting was perfectly even.
- The cast-on procedure for the project was complex.
American English
- She struggled with the cast-on row.
- The cast-on thread count was recorded.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The board decided to cast on two external consultants for the merger review.' (To add to a consideration pool)
Academic
In drama studies: 'The director cast on three understudies for the lead role.'
Everyday
'I can't wait to cast on this new sweater tonight.' (Knitting)
Technical
In distributed systems: 'The server will cast on a new worker thread to handle the incoming request.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cast on”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cast on”
- Using 'cast on' for general 'start' outside specific contexts (e.g., 'Let's cast on the meeting.' is incorrect).
- Incorrect past tense: 'casted on' (correct past is 'cast on').
- Confusing with 'cast' alone, as in acting.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The past tense is 'cast on'. 'Cast' is an irregular verb (cast-cast-cast). 'Casted on' is incorrect.
No, while its primary and most common use is in knitting, it is also used in more formal or technical contexts to mean 'to initiate' or 'to add to a list/process', especially in computing, theatre, and business procedures.
In British English, the opposite is 'cast off'. In American English, 'bind off' is the more common opposite term, though 'cast off' is also understood.
Yes, when hyphenated ('cast-on'), it functions as a noun or adjective. As a noun, it refers to the edge or row of stitches created (e.g., 'Her cast-on was too tight').
To create the first row of stitches in knitting.
Cast on is usually technical/craft (knitting), formal/technical (business/computing) in register.
Cast on: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːst ɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæst ɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cast your net on the other side (variant of biblical/fishing idiom).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fisherman CASTing his net ONto the water to start fishing. A knitter similarly 'casts' the yarn 'on' the needle to start a project.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS PUTTING ON A FOUNDATION (like putting stitches on a needle). ADDING TO A GROUP IS CASTING A NET.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cast on' LEAST likely to be used correctly?