# bowler

/ˈboʊɫɝ/ (US) · /bˈəʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bowler
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. cricket player

noun · CEFR B1

the player in cricket who throws the ball to the batter.

For teachers: the player who delivers the ball to the batsman. In professional contexts, bowlers are often categorised by their speed or style, such as 'fast' or 'spin' bowlers.

- The bowler ran up to the wicket and threw a very fast ball.
- The opening bowler struggled to find his rhythm in the first session, conceding several boundaries to the aggressive top-order batsmen.

### 2. ten-pin bowling player

noun · CEFR A2

a person who plays the game of bowling, where you roll a heavy ball at pins.

For teachers: an individual who participates in the sport of ten-pin bowling or lawn bowls.

- The professional bowler managed to get three strikes in a row.
- Even an amateur bowler can improve their score significantly by mastering the correct footwork and release technique.

### 3. a type of hat

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a hard, round black hat that was popular for businessmen in the past.

For teachers: a sturdy, felt hat with a rounded crown and narrow brim, traditionally associated with British civil servants and businessmen.

- The old man in the movie wore a smart suit and a black bowler.
- While the bowler remained a staple of London city attire for decades, it is now rarely seen outside of formal ceremonies or period dramas.

## Examples

- He wore a black bowler to the wedding.
- The bank manager adjusted his bowler before stepping out to greet the new clients.
- Though largely replaced by the fedora in daily wear, the bowler remains a potent symbol of British middle-class respectability in early twentieth-century literature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.