hurling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Sport-specific and literary/dramatic.
Quick answer
What does “hurling” mean?
An Irish field sport played with a wooden stick (hurley) and a small ball (sliotar), involving striking and carrying the ball.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An Irish field sport played with a wooden stick (hurley) and a small ball (sliotar), involving striking and carrying the ball; the act of throwing something with great force.
The action of moving or acting with violent, uncontrolled, or reckless force, often in a chaotic manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK and Ireland, 'hurling' is immediately recognized as the Irish sport. In the US, it is more likely understood as the violent throwing action, unless the context is Irish sports or culture.
Connotations
UK/Ireland: Primarily positive sporting connotations. US: Often negative connotations of violence or chaos.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK/Irish media due to sports coverage. Lower general frequency in the US, except in specific communities.
Grammar
How to Use “hurling” in a Sentence
[Someone] was hurling [objects] at [someone/something][Someone] went hurling into [a place/object]The sport of hurlingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hurling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the match hurling the sliotar down the pitch.
- Protesters were hurling bottles at the police van.
American English
- He was hurling insults at the referee from the stands.
- The volcano began hurling ash and rock into the sky.
adverb
British English
- He ran hurlingly towards the goal. (Very rare/archaic/poetic)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The hurling finals are a major event in the Irish sporting calendar.
- He had a hurling helmet under his arm.
American English
- The hurling storm caused significant damage to the coastline.
- They watched a hurling match on the Gaelic sports channel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The CEO was hurling accusations at the board.'
Academic
Used in history/sports studies for the Irish game. Rarely for descriptive physics of projectile motion.
Everyday
Common for describing throwing with force or playing the sport in Ireland.
Technical
Mainly in sports science/coaching related to Gaelic games (biomechanics of hurling).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hurling”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hurling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hurling”
- Using 'hurling' to mean general throwing (e.g., 'hurling a birthday present'). It implies excessive force/anger.
- Confusing 'hurling' (sport) with 'field hockey' or 'lacrosse'.
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'I play hurling' (sport) vs 'I was hurling rocks' (action).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are distinct sports. Hurling is Gaelic, older, and played with a different stick (hurley/camán) and ball (sliotar). Players can strike the ball in the air and on the ground.
No, 'hurling' always implies considerable force, speed, or violence in the action. For gentle actions, use 'tossing', 'throwing', or 'passing'.
It is neutral in register. The sporting term is formal in a sporting context. The 'throwing violently' meaning is more common in dramatic or informal narrative.
Context is key. The sport is often preceded by 'the sport of', 'a game of', or a capital H (Hurling). The action usually follows a subject (he/she/they) and an object (rocks, insults).
An Irish field sport played with a wooden stick (hurley) and a small ball (sliotar), involving striking and carrying the ball.
Hurling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɜː.lɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɝː.lɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hurling abuse”
- “Hurling insults”
- “Hurling oneself at/into something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HURL + ING. Imagine a team HURLing a ball INto the goal net in a fast Irish game.
Conceptual Metaphor
VERBAL CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL COMBAT ('hurling insults').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common meaning of 'hurling' in Ireland?