throw

noun countable

UK /θrəʊ/

Word Forms

singular	throw
plural	throws

1
the action of throwing something such as a ball
a long throw from the boundary
Synonyms and related words
Actions in playing games or sports
backhand
backhander
ball
2
the action of throwing your opponent to the ground in a sport such as wrestling
Synonyms and related words
Boxing and wrestling
arm-wrestling
bantamweight
bare-knuckle
3
a large piece of cloth that you put over a chair, bed etc to make it look nice
Synonyms and related words
Bedclothes
afghan
bedclothes
bedding
Synonyms and related words
Cushions, rugs and throws
beanbag
cushion
rug

throw

noun countable

US /θroʊ/

Word Forms

singular	throw
plural	throws

1
the action of throwing something such as a ball
a long throw from the outfield
Synonyms and related words
Actions in playing games or sports
backhand
backhander
ball
2
a large piece of cloth that you put over a chair, bed, etc. to make it look nice
Synonyms and related words
Bedclothes
afghan
bedclothes
bedding
Synonyms and related words
Cushions, rugs and throws
beanbag
cushion
scatter cushion
3
the action of throwing your opponent to the ground in a sport such as wrestling
Synonyms and related words
Boxing and wrestling
arm-wrestling
bantamweight
bare-knuckle

throw

verb

UK /θrəʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	throw
he/she/it	throws
present participle	throwing
past tense	threw
past participle	thrown

1
intransitive/transitive to use your hand to send an object through the air
I’ll throw the ball and you try to catch it.
throw something at someone/something:
Some kids were throwing stones at the windows.
throw something to someone:
Each child throws a ball to their partner.
throw someone something:
Can you throw me that rope?
Synonyms and related words
To aim and to throw
throw
direct
aim
2
transitive to put something somewhere in a quick careless way
She hastily threw her books into the cupboard.
Harry had a red scarf thrown casually around his neck.
Synonyms and related words
To put something somewhere carelessly
throw
toss
chuck
3
transitive to suddenly move your body or a part of your body into a particular position
Suddenly throwing back his head, he started laughing.
She threw herself into his arms.
Synonyms and related words
To change your position
balance
bear yourself
bend
1. 3a
  to use force to move someone or something
  The door was thrown open.
  He threw his opponent to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to try to move something by pushing
  push
  shove
  heave
2. 3b
  usually passiveif a horse throws you, you fall off when it makes a sudden violent movement
  She was thrown from her horse when it jumped sideways.
  Synonyms and related words
  Horse riding
  bareback
  be in the saddle
  break in
4
transitive if someone is thrown into prison or a similar place, they are forced to go there
throw someone into jail/prison:
Many protesters have been thrown into jail without trial.
Synonyms and related words
To put someone in a prison, or to keep them as a prisoner
jail
imprison
detain
5
transitive to suddenly aim a look, smile etc in a particular direction
Marco threw an angry glance at her.
Synonyms and related words
To look at someone or something quickly
glance
dart
peep
6
transitive to put someone or something into a bad state
Exams always threw her into a panic.
throw something into confusion/chaos/disarray/turmoil:
A single computer problem can throw the whole office into chaos.
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems for someone or something
let down
hold back
embarrass
1. 6a
  if something throws you, it makes you surprised or confused because you did not expect it
  The news has completely thrown me.
  throw someone off balance:
  The sudden question threw her off balance.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make someone feel shocked or surprised
  surprise
  shock
  shake up
7
transitive if you throw something such as questions, ideas, comments etc at someone, you suddenly ask them or mention them
Reporters were throwing personal questions at her.
They stood in the street throwing insults at each other.
Synonyms and related words
To mention something, or to be mentioned
mention
refer to
invoke
8
transitive if you throw a switch, handle etc, you move it up or down, for example in order to start or stop a machine
He threw a switch and the lights came on.
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of equipment work
activate
actuate
coax
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of machinery stop working
break
brick
cannibalise
9
transitive informalto deliberately lose a game or competition
They were offered a bribe to throw the match.
Synonyms and related words
To be defeated in a game, competition or argument
submit
surrender
appease
10
transitive if something throws light or shadows somewhere, it makes light or shadows appear there
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash

phrases

throw something back in someone’s face

throw the book at someone

throw good money after bad

throw money at something

throw money down the drain

throw a party

throw a punch

throw your voice

throw your weight about/around

throw your weight behind someone/something

throw yourself at someone

throw yourself into something

throw your toys out of the pram

phrasal verbs

throw aside

throw away

throw back

throw back on

throw in

throw off

throw off at

throw on

throw out

throw over

throw together

throw up

throw

verb

US /θroʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	throw
he/she/it	throws
present participle	throwing
past tense	threw
past participle	thrown

1
intransitive/transitive to use your hand to send an object through the air
I’ll throw the ball and you try to catch it.
throw something at someone/something:
Some kids were throwing stones at the windows.
throw something to someone:
Each child throws a ball to their partner.
throw someone something:
Can you throw me that rope?
Synonyms and related words
To aim and to throw
throw
direct
aim
2
transitive to put something somewhere in a quick careless way
She hastily threw her books into a bag.
Harry had a red scarf thrown casually around his neck.
Synonyms and related words
To put something somewhere carelessly
throw
toss
chuck
3
transitive usually passiveif a horse throws you, you fall off when it makes a sudden violent movement
She was thrown from her horse when it jumped sideways.
Synonyms and related words
Horse riding
bareback
be in the saddle
break in
1. 3a
  to use force to move someone or something
  He threw his opponent to the ground.
  The door was thrown open.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to try to move something by pushing
  push
  shove
  heave
2. 3b
  to suddenly move your body or a part of your body into a particular position
  Suddenly throwing back his head, he started laughing.
  She threw herself into his arms.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change your position
  balance
  bear yourself
  bend
4
transitive if someone is thrown into prison or a similar place, they are forced to go there
throw someone in/into jail/prison:
Many protesters have been thrown in jail without trial.
Synonyms and related words
To put someone in a prison, or to keep them as a prisoner
jail
imprison
detain
5
transitive to suddenly aim a look, smile, etc. in a particular direction
Marco threw an angry glance at her.
Synonyms and related words
To look at someone or something quickly
glance
dart
peep
6
transitive informalto deliberately lose a game or competition
He was offered a bribe to throw the match.
Synonyms and related words
To be defeated in a game, competition or argument
go down
go out
lose
7
transitive if you throw a switch, handle, etc., you move it up or down, for example in order to start or stop a machine
He threw a switch and the lights came on.
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of equipment work
activate
actuate
coax
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of machinery stop working
break
brick
cannibalize
8
transitive to put someone or something into a bad state
Exams always threw her into a panic.
throw something into confusion/chaos/disarray/turmoil:
A single computer problem can throw the whole office into chaos.
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems for someone or something
let down
hold back
embarrass
1. 8a
  if something throws you, it makes you surprised or confused because you did not expect it
  The news has completely thrown me.
  throw someone off balance:
  The sudden question threw her off balance.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make someone feel shocked or surprised
  surprise
  shock
  shake up
9
transitive if you throw something such as questions, ideas, comments, etc. at someone, you suddenly ask them or mention them
Reporters were throwing personal questions at her.
They stood in the street throwing insults at each other.
Synonyms and related words
To mention something, or to be mentioned
mention
refer to
invoke
10
transitive if something throws light or shadows somewhere, it makes light or shadows appear there
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash

phrases

throw something back in someone’s face

throw the book at someone

throw good money after bad

throw money at something

throw money down the drain

throw a party

throw a punch

throw your voice

throw your weight around

throw your weight behind someone/something

throw yourself at someone

throw yourself into something

throw your toys out of the pram

phrasal verbs

throw aside

throw away

throw back

throw back on

throw in

throw off

throw on

throw out

throw over

throw together

throw up

throw ​‌

throw ​‌

throw ​‌‌‌

throw ​‌‌‌

throw

throw

throw

throw