Tossing: meaning, definitions and examples

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tossing

[ ˈtɒsɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

action of throwing something lightly or casually

Tossing refers to the action of throwing something lightly or casually, often in a carefree manner. It can involve a quick and effortless motion, usually done with one hand. This term is commonly used in sports, cooking, and everyday activities.

Synonyms

flinging, pitching, throwing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tossing	Used in casual situations when you gently or lightly throw something. Often used when the object is thrown without much force or for a short distance. She was tossing a ball to her dog in the park. Can you toss me the car keys?
throwing	The general term for sending something through the air with your hand. It is neutral and versatile, suitable for most contexts where an object is propelled by hand. He was throwing a frisbee with his friends. She threw the paper into the recycling bin.
flinging	Implies throwing something with a lot of force or in a careless, hasty way. It often carries a sense of urgency or strong emotion such as anger. In a fit of rage, he flung the book across the room. She flung herself onto the bed, exhausted from the day's events.
pitching	Commonly used in sports, particularly in baseball, where it refers to throwing the ball to the batter. It is also used metaphorically in business to mean presenting an idea or proposal. He has excellent skills at pitching in baseball. She pitched her startup idea to potential investors.

Examples of usage

He was practicing his tossing skills with a frisbee at the park.
She was tossing the salad in a large bowl before dinner.
The tossing of the coin determined which team would start the game.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

throw (something) somewhere lightly or casually

When used as a verb, tossing means to throw something somewhere lightly or casually. It implies a relaxed and informal manner of throwing, often without much force or precision. This action can be seen in various activities such as cooking, games, and cleaning.

Synonyms

cast, fling, throw.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tossing	Informal situations where something is lightly thrown without much force. She was tossing the ball to her dog He kept tossing pebbles into the pond
throw	General term used in various situations where something is propelled through the air, suitable for both casual and formal use. She threw the ball to her friend He threw the paper into the trash can
fling	Situations where something is thrown with a lot of force or in a hurried manner, often with emotional intensity. Can have a somewhat negative connotation. In a fit of anger, she flung the book across the room He couldn't wait to get home and fling off his shoes
cast	More formal or literary contexts, often implying deliberate or purposeful movement. Frequently used with fishing or storytelling. He cast his fishing line into the water The wizard cast a spell into the air

Examples of usage

She was tossing the ball back and forth with her dog.
He casually tossed his keys onto the table as he walked in the door.

Translations

Translations of the word "tossing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lançamento

🇮🇳 उछालना

🇩🇪 Werfen

🇮🇩 melempar

🇺🇦 кидання

🇵🇱 rzut

🇯🇵 投げる (なげる)

🇫🇷 lancer

🇪🇸 lanzar

🇹🇷 atmak

🇰🇷 던지기

🇸🇦 رمي

🇨🇿 házení

🇸🇰 hádzanie

🇨🇳 投掷 (tóuzhí)

🇸🇮 metanje

🇮🇸 kasta

🇰🇿 лақтыру

🇬🇪 სროლა

🇦🇿 atmaq

🇲🇽 lanzar

Etymology

The word 'tossing' originated from Middle English in the early 14th century. It evolved from the Old English word 'tossian', meaning 'to throw, fling, or cast'. Over the centuries, 'tossing' has retained its core meaning of throwing something lightly or casually, with a sense of ease and nonchalance.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,509, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13506 mundane
13507 physicist
13508 abyss
13509 tossing
13510 angled
13511 rep
13512 hospitalized
...