thrower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with technical/sporting specialisation.
Quick answer
What does “thrower” mean?
A person or machine that throws something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or machine that throws something.
A person who throws as part of a sport or activity (e.g., javelin thrower); a part of a machine that propels or ejects material (e.g., clay in pottery); historically, a term for a potter who uses a wheel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. In pottery, 'thrower' is the standard term in both, but 'potter' is more common in general use.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In sports contexts (athletics), equally common.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in cricket contexts (referring to a fielder with a strong arm).
Grammar
How to Use “thrower” in a Sentence
[thrower] of [object thrown][adjective] throwerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thrower” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bowler prepared to thrower a googly.
- He can thrower a cricket ball over 80 metres.
American English
- The pitcher wound up to thrower a fastball.
- She can thrower a perfect spiral with a football.
adverb
British English
- [Not a standard adverb form]
American English
- [Not a standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [Not a standard adjective form]
American English
- [Not a standard adjective form]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing contexts for machinery that throws/ejects material.
Academic
Used in sports science and anthropology (e.g., studying Neanderthal spear-throwers).
Everyday
Common in sports news and recreational activities (e.g., 'He's a good ball thrower').
Technical
Specific term in ceramics/pottery for the person operating the wheel; also in agriculture for machines like manure spreaders.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thrower”
- Using 'thrower' for someone who throws a tantrum (incorrect). Confusing 'thrower' (person) with 'throw' (action).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, that is an idiom ('throw a party'). A 'thrower' refers to someone who physically propels an object.
Yes, for example, a 'snow thrower' is another term for a snowblower, and in farming, a 'manure thrower' is a type of spreader.
In baseball, 'pitcher' is the specific, official position. 'Thrower' is a more general descriptive term but is not the official title.
The term comes from the Old English 'þrāwan', meaning 'to twist or turn'. The action of shaping clay on a rotating wheel involves throwing or twisting the clay with force.
A person or machine that throws something.
Thrower is usually neutral, with technical/sporting specialisation. in register.
Thrower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθrəʊ.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθroʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'thrower' as the head noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a THROWER on the ROWER machine – both involve powerful, repetitive arm motions.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGENT IS AN INSTRUMENT (The person is named by the action they perform).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'thrower' LEAST likely to be used?