Bowling
/ˈboʊlɪŋ/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meanings
Question
Definitions
2 meanings1
The act or sport of throwing balls to knock down pins arranged in a triangular formation.
/ˈboʊlɪŋ/
nounneutralBeginner
General
The sport of rolling balls to knock down pins.
My family went bowling last weekend.
💡 Simply: A game where you roll balls at pins.
More Examples
2
She scored a strike in her first bowling game.
How It's Used
Sport
"He enjoys bowling on Friday nights."
Recreation
"Bowling is a popular leisure activity."
2
To roll a ball, especially in the game of bowling.
/ˈboʊlɪŋ/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To roll a ball in a bowling game.
He bowled a strike.
💡 Simply: To throw a ball in bowling.
More Examples
2
She bowled the ball down the alley.
How It's Used
Sport
"He bowled a perfect game."
Tip:Think of the action of rolling a bowl.
From Middle English *bowlen, from Old English *bullan, meaning "to roll or bowl."
Bowling has a long history, with variations of the game dating back centuries.
Memory tip
Imagine rolling a bowl down a lane.
Practice
Base: bowl
bowelingbowlling
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written