# bowls

/ˈboʊɫz/ (US) · /bˈəʊlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bowls
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. the sport

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a game played on grass where you roll heavy balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball.

For teachers: a precision game played on a level or crowned grass surface using biased balls. Often referred to as 'lawn bowls'.

- My grandfather spends every Saturday afternoon at the local club playing bowls.
- The local bowls club has seen a resurgence in membership as younger residents take an interest in the tactical nuances of the game.

Usage: Usually treated as a singular noun when referring to the sport itself.

### 3. sport equipment

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the heavy, weighted balls used in the game of bowls.

For teachers: the biased balls used by players in the game of lawn bowls, designed to curve when rolled.

- He polished his bowls carefully before the start of the tournament.
- Because the bowls are weighted on one side, the player must account for the curve of the delivery to reach the jack.

## Examples

- My grandfather plays bowls every Saturday afternoon.
- The local park features a well-maintained green where residents gather for a friendly game of bowls.
- While often perceived as a leisurely pastime for retirees, competitive bowls requires significant tactical skill and physical consistency to master the subtle curves of the weighted balls.

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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.