# bowling

/ˈboʊɫɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈəʊlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bowling
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. tenpin game

noun · CEFR A2

a game played inside where you roll a heavy ball down a wooden lane to knock over ten wooden pins.

For teachers: a game in which a heavy ball is rolled down a long, narrow lane toward a group of ten wooden pins. Uncountable in this general sense.

- We are going bowling tonight for my brother's birthday party.
- The local bowling alley has seen a resurgence in popularity since they renovated the lanes and added a modern scoring system.

### 2. cricket delivery

noun · CEFR B2

the action of throwing the ball towards the batsman in the game of cricket.

For teachers: the action of delivering the ball to the batsman in cricket, typically performed with a straight arm.

- His fast bowling made it very difficult for the other team to score points.
- The captain decided to change the bowling strategy after the opening batsman managed to hit several boundaries in the first few overs.

### 3. walking style

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a confident or aggressive way of walking often seen in street culture.

For teachers: a specific, often exaggerated or rhythmic style of walking associated with urban street culture.

- He was bowling down the street like he owned the whole neighborhood.
- The youth's distinctive bowling walk and confident posture immediately signaled his status within the local social hierarchy.

## Examples

- We are going bowling this Friday night.
- The local bowling alley is always crowded on weekends because it is a fun place for families to gather.
- While professional bowling requires precise technique and consistent spin, many people enjoy it as a casual recreational activity that emphasizes social interaction over competitive scoring.

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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.