Throwing: meaning, definitions and examples

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throwing

[ˈθroʊɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in sports

The act of throwing an object, such as a ball, in a specific direction with force and precision.

Synonyms

flinging, hurling, tossing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
throwing	General term for propelling an object through the air, commonly used in sports or everyday activities. He is throwing the baseball to his friend. She loves throwing the frisbee at the park.
tossing	Indicates a lighter, more casual, or playful action. Usually used for smaller objects or in games. She was casually tossing the keys into the air. They were happily tossing a beach ball around.
flinging	Implying a more forceful or careless action, often used when describing someone's emotions, like anger or frustration. She was so angry that she started flinging her clothes into the suitcase. The child kept flinging his toys around the room.
hurling	Suggests a very forceful and aggressive action, often involving intention to hit or hurt something or someone. It has a somewhat negative connotation. In his rage, he was hurling stones at the car. Protesters were hurling objects at the police.

Examples of usage

He has a great throwing arm in baseball.
Her throwing technique in shot put is impeccable.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

casual

The action of propelling an object through the air by a movement of the arm and hand.

Synonyms

lob, pitch, toss.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
throwing	Used for general situations where an object is propelled through the air with force. He is throwing the ball to his friend The children are throwing stones into the lake
toss	Used when referring to a light, casual throw, often with a gentle motion. It suggests less precision and force. He tossed the keys to his brother She tossed the salad lightly before serving
pitch	Often used in the context of baseball or addressing a promotional context. Implies aiming and a degree of skill. The pitcher is getting ready to pitch the ball He pitched his business idea to the investors
lob	Used when referring to a high, arching throw, often with less force and more accuracy. Common in sports terminology. She expertly lobbed the tennis ball over the net He lobbed a snowball at his friend

Examples of usage

She was throwing stones into the pond.
He threw the frisbee to his dog.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'throw' comes from Old English 'þrawan', meaning 'to twist, to turn'.
In Middle English, the verb evolved into 'throwen', which meant to hurl or cast something.
Related terms exist in other languages, like 'lanzar' in Spanish, showing a common action across cultures.

Sports

In baseball, throwing is a key skill; players practice to enhance their accuracy and power.
The Olympics features events like javelin and discus throwing, showcasing skill and technique.
Ultimate Frisbee and football both involve throwing as a major part of the gameplay, emphasizing teamwork and strategy.

Psychology

Throwing can be a way to release pent-up energy or frustration, helping some feel relieved.
Children often learn motor skills through throwing games, improving hand-eye coordination.
Body language that includes throwing motions can express enthusiasm or anger during communication.

Cultural Practices

In some cultures, throwing rice at weddings symbolizes love and prosperity for the couple.
In Japan, throwing beans during Setsubun is a tradition to drive away evil spirits.
Carnival games often involve throwing objects at targets to win prizes, making it a fun social activity.

Education

Many physical education classes teach throwing techniques to improve student fitness and coordination.
Throwing activities can help children understand concepts of force and trajectory in a practical way.
Art programs sometimes incorporate throwing clay on a wheel as a way of creative expression and skill development.

Translations

Translations of the word "throwing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lançamento

🇮🇳 फेंकना

🇩🇪 Werfen

🇮🇩 melempar

🇺🇦 кидання

🇵🇱 rzucanie

🇯🇵 投げる

🇫🇷 lancer

🇪🇸 lanzamiento

🇹🇷 atmak

🇰🇷 던지기

🇸🇦 رمي

🇨🇿 házení

🇸🇰 hádzanie

🇨🇳 投掷

🇸🇮 metanje

🇮🇸 kast

🇰🇿 лақтыру

🇬🇪 სროლა

🇦🇿 atmaq

🇲🇽 lanzamiento

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,334 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5337 influential
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