Bowl
/boʊl/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a bowl is a round container with curved sides and no lid, used to hold things like soup, cereal, or fruit. As a verb, "to bowl" means to roll a ball on the ground or in a game, aiming to knock down pins or reach a target.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A round, open container used to hold food or liquid
- •She poured the cereal into a bowl.
- •The soup was served in a big bowl.
- •I keep fruit in a wooden bowl on the table.
To roll a ball in a game or sport
- •He likes to bowl every weekend with his friends.
- •She bowled the ball carefully to knock down the pins.
- •They watched the cricket player bowl fast balls.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bowl" like "cup" (A1 word), but bigger and open on top so you can put more food or liquid inside
- ✓Picture a round, deep dish you eat cereal from or use to mix ingredients in the kitchen
- ✓It's the feeling of holding a warm bowl of soup on a cold day—comfort and warmth
- ✓Sounds like "bowl" → imagine rolling a ball down a smooth path, like in bowling alleys
- ✓Remember the game of bowling, where players roll a heavy ball to knock down pins in a triangle shape
- ✓NOT like "plate" (flat and open), a bowl has curved sides that hold liquids easily
- ✓NOT like "throw" (to throw something far), "bowl" is rolling smoothly on the ground or floor
- ✓NOT like "glass" (holds liquid but open at the top and tall), a bowl is short and wide
Try Other Words
- •Container: something used to hold things (Use when the exact shape is not important)
- •Basin: a large bowl-shaped container (Use when the bowl is big or for washing)
- •Roll: to move by turning over and over (Use when "bowl" is the action of rolling a ball)
- •Throw: to send something through the air (Use when action is not smooth rolling but throwing)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "bowl" is a simple root word with no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: From Old English "bolla," meaning a round container
- •Historical development: Used for centuries to describe round containers for food and drink
- •Modern usage: Used for kitchenware and sports (like bowling and cricket)
- •Key insight: The word covers both the object and the action of rolling a ball, showing its versatility
Reflect & Connect
•How do the noun and verb forms of "bowl" relate to each other in everyday life?
•Can you think of other words that are both things and actions like "bowl"?
Fill in the blanks
1.She filled the bowl with ___ before eating breakfast.
2.In bowling, players try to bowl the ball to knock down ___.
3.The bowl is different from a plate because it can hold ___ without spilling.
4.When he bowls, the ball rolls smoothly on the ___ toward the pins.
5.A big bowl can be used as a ___ to mix ingredients for cooking.
6.You usually use a spoon to eat food from a bowl, but not from a ___.
7.The cricket player bowls by throwing the ball with a special ___ motion.