bowl
bowl
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bowl" is /boʊl/.
bowl:
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive)
/oʊ/ (mid-back rounded vowel, diphthong)
/l/ (alveolar lateral approximant)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bowl
Plural Noun: bowls
Present Tense Verb (base form): bowl
Present Tense Verb (third person singular): bowls
Present Participle Verb: bowling
Past Tense Verb: bowled
Past Participle Verb: bowled
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. A round, deep dish or basin, typically without handles, used for holding food or liquid, or for serving.
Synonyms: dish, basin, tureen, crock
Antonyms: plate (for flatter dishes), platter
2. The content of a bowl; the amount that a bowl can hold.
Synonyms: serving, helping, portion, dishful
Antonyms: none directly applicable (refers to quantity rather than a specific opposite)
3. In sports, especially bowling, the act of throwing a ball (or sometimes a disk or other object) toward a target.
Synonyms: throw, roll, cast, delivery
Antonyms: catch (in some contexts, if referring to the opposite action of receiving a thrown object)
4. (Often capitalized, "The Bowl") A large, typically circular, stadium or amphitheater designed for sporting events (especially American football) or concerts.
Synonyms: stadium, arena, coliseum, amphitheater
Antonyms: none directly applicable
Verb
1. To roll a ball (or a similar object) along a surface, especially in sports like bowling, cricket, or lawn bowls, with the aim of hitting a target or achieving a specific result.
Synonyms: roll, throw, launch, propel, hurl
Antonyms: catch, retrieve (in the context of stopping a rolled object)
2. To play the game of bowling or a similar sport involving rolling a ball.
Synonyms: participate in bowling, engage in bowling
Antonyms: none directly applicable
3. (Figurative, often with "over") To impress, surprise, or overwhelm someone.
Synonyms: astound, stun, amaze, impress, overwhelm
Antonyms: underwhelm, bore, disappoint
4. To move along smoothly and rapidly, as if rolling.
Synonyms: glide, roll, cruise, flow
Antonyms: stumble, halt, stop
Examples of Use
Books:
"She carefully placed the warm, freshly baked bread in a large bowl on the kitchen counter, its aroma filling the air." (Example from a fictional novel)
"The protagonist's despair deepened, feeling as though he were trapped in a bottomless bowl of sorrow, with no escape in sight." (Figurative use in a literary work)
Newspapers:
"The local food bank announced a record-breaking donation drive, collecting enough food to fill a dozen large bowls for families in need." (Local News, The Daily Sentinel)
"Fans packed the historic Rose Bowl stadium for the championship game, anticipating a thrilling match-up between the rival teams." (Sports Section, The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"This recipe for a vibrant summer salad requires a large mixing bowl to combine all the fresh ingredients." (Food Blog, Deliciously Daily)
"The article explored how a single act of kindness can bowl someone over with unexpected joy, creating a ripple effect." (Online Lifestyle Magazine, https://www.google.com/search?q=PositiveVibes.com)
"Analysts predict a significant increase in online sales of decorative bowls as home decor trends continue to lean towards artisanal pieces." (E-commerce Industry Report, Retail Insights Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "In the opening scene, the detective slowly ate a bowl of cereal, contemplating the perplexing case." (Example from a crime drama film)
Television Series: "The contestant on the cooking show frantically tried to finish whisking the batter in the bowl before time ran out." (From a reality cooking competition show)
Music/Song Lyrics: "We'll bowl through the night, under the moonlight, with not a care in the world." (Figurative use in a song lyric, meaning to move freely and enjoyably)
Video Games: "Players must carefully aim their shots to bowl down all the pins and achieve a perfect score." (Instructions or objective in a bowling video game)
Podcast: "Our guest today will share tips on how to prepare a nutritious breakfast bowl that's both healthy and delicious." (From a health and wellness podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you pass me that bowl of popcorn, please?" (Common request at home or during a social gathering)
"He managed to bowl over the entire audience with his powerful performance." (Colloquial expression used to describe an impressive performance)
"I'm going to bowl tonight with some friends at the alley." (Casual conversation about a leisure activity)
"My dog just knocked over his water bowl again!" (Everyday complaint about a pet)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bowl
"There is no point in collecting a bowl of light, only to spill it." (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching)
"The world is a great bowl of soup, and we are the noodles." (Traditional Chinese Proverb)
"Life is like a bowl of cherries... some are sweet and some are rotten." (Often attributed to Mae West)
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." (Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go! - Though not explicitly "bowl," it evokes the idea of navigating one's own path, often represented as a journey or game, where "bowling" one's way through is a metaphorical fit.)
"A man has to learn that he cannot bowl his way through the world like a cannonball." (Rudolf Eucken)
"We're all in the same bowl of soup." (Desmond Tutu)
"To bowl well, you must be in harmony with the ball." (Shane Warne, on cricket bowling)
"Fill your bowl with the simple things, and joy will overflow." (Lesser-known wisdom, often attributed to various mindfulness teachings)
"The bowl of the night sky was filled with a million glittering diamonds." (Metaphorical description, often found in poetic language)
"Let's bowl tonight and forget about our worries." (Common contemporary invitation for a game of bowling)
Etymology
The word "bowl" actually has a couple of different origins, which explains why it has meanings related to both a container and the act of rolling a ball.
For "bowl" as a container (like a dish for soup):
This meaning comes from very old Germanic roots. It can be traced back to:
Old English "bolla" or "bolle" (meaning a bowl, cup, pot, or measure).
This came from Proto-Germanic "*bullǭ" (meaning a ball, round vessel, or bowl).
And even further back to a very old Proto-Indo-European root that meant "to blow" or "to swell", which makes sense for something that is rounded or swollen.
So, the very first known use and meaning for "bowl" as a container referred to a round, deep vessel for holding liquids or food. Archeological finds suggest that people have been making and using bowl-like containers for thousands of years, with some of the oldest being found in China dating back as far as 18,000 years.
For "bowl" as in rolling a ball (like in bowling):
This meaning has a slightly different, though related, journey:
It comes from Middle English "boule" (meaning a weighted ball).
This was borrowed from Old French "boule" (meaning "ball").
Which ultimately came from the Latin word "bulla" (meaning a "bubble," "knob," or "round swelling").
The first known use of "bowl" in the context of rolling a ball in a game is around the mid-15th century in English. It referred to the wooden ball itself used in games. Later, it became a verb meaning "to roll a ball on the ground" as part of a game.
So, you can see how both meanings relate to something "round" or "swollen," but they evolved through slightly different linguistic paths.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bowl
Bowl over: To impress or overwhelm someone greatly.
A bowl of cherries: Something pleasant or easy; life is good. (Often used ironically, as in "Life's not always a bowl of cherries.")
A whole new ball game: (Uses a synonym, "ball") A completely different situation or set of circumstances.
In the same boat: (Uses a related concept of a container or shared situation) In the same difficult or unfortunate circumstances.
Clean as a whistle: (Indirectly related to the idea of a smooth, unimpeded "roll" or clear state) Very clean.
Full to the brim/top of the bowl: Completely full.
Pass the bowl: To share or distribute something, often food or contributions.
Empty the bowl: To finish everything in a container; to consume entirely.
A crying shame: (Not directly "bowl" but relates to a container of emotion) A great pity or regrettable situation.
The ball is in your court: (Uses a synonym, "ball") It's your turn to act or make a decision.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bowl from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
