DictionarybowlRolling a ball
verb

bowl

To roll a ball along a playing surface in a game.

She bowls the ball toward the pins.

Etymology

French boule means ball. The English verb derives from the name of the playing object, describing the action of sending that ball rolling along the ground or another surface.

More examples

  • He bowled three games after work.
  • They have bowled together for years.
  • The players are bowling on adjacent lanes.

Forms

bowl · bowls · bowled · bowling

bowler noun — Someone who plays a bowling game.

Similar words

roll
Moves a ball along a surface without specifically playing a game.