English Reference

Word

cast

US/ˈkæst/

UK/kˈɑːst/

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

cast

Past

cast

Past participle

cast

Definitions

01to throw

B2 · Upper Intermediate fishing

v. to throw something, especially something light or a fishing line.

v. to throw or project something with a quick motion; frequently used in the context of fishing or throwing dice.

“The fisherman cast his line into the middle of the lake.”

“He cast the net with a fluid, practiced motion, hoping to catch the school of fish before they moved into deeper waters.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02to choose actors

B2 · Upper Intermediate Theater

v. to choose which actors will play the parts in a film or play.

v. to assign roles to actors in a dramatic production.

“The director cast a famous actress as the lead character.”

“After weeks of auditions, the producers finally cast a relatively unknown teenager in the title role of the upcoming musical.”

Synonyms

03to direct light or eyes

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to look at something or to make a shadow or light fall on a surface.

v. to direct one's gaze or to cause light or shadow to fall in a specific direction.

“The tall trees cast long shadows across the grass.”

“She cast a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure no one was following her through the narrow alleyway.”

04to vote

B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal

v. to officially give your vote in an election.

v. to formally register a vote or deposit a ballot.

“Millions of people went to the stations to cast their votes.”

“Citizens are encouraged to cast their ballots early to avoid long queues on the actual day of the election.”

Synonyms

05to shape metal

C1 · Advanced Technical

v. to make an object by pouring hot, liquid metal into a shaped container.

v. to shape molten material by pouring it into a mould and allowing it to harden.

“The artist cast the statue in bronze.”

“The factory specializes in casting engine parts from high-grade aluminum to ensure they are both lightweight and durable.”

Synonyms

06to perform magic

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

v. to say words that are supposed to have magical powers.

v. to perform or initiate a magical spell or enchantment.

“The wizard cast a spell to turn the prince into a frog.”

“In the old legends, the witch cast a powerful enchantment over the forest that lasted for a hundred years.”

Synonyms

07group of actors

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Theater

n. all the actors who act in a play, film, or show.

n. the collective group of performers in a dramatic production, distinct from the technical crew.

“The entire cast came on stage at the end of the play.”

“The director praised the cast for their exceptional performance during the opening night of the Shakespearean tragedy.”

Antonyms

08medical bandage

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a hard, white cover put around a broken bone to keep it still while it heals.

n. a rigid, protective dressing, usually made of plaster or fiberglass, used to immobilize a fractured limb.

“I had to wear a cast on my leg for six weeks after I fell.”

“The surgeon checked the cast to ensure it wasn't too tight and that blood was still circulating properly to the patient's toes.”

Synonyms

09appearance or character

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Formal

n. the general look or character of something, like a person's face or mind.

n. the general appearance, style, or character of a person or thing; often used regarding a 'cast of mind'.

“He has a very serious cast of mind and rarely tells jokes.”

“The philosopher's particular cast of mind led him to question even the most basic assumptions of his contemporaries.”

10stuck animal

C2 · Proficiency Technical

adj. used to describe an animal, like a sheep, that has fallen on its back and cannot get up.

adj. referring to a large animal that is lying in a position from which it cannot rise without assistance.

“The farmer had to help the cast sheep get back on its feet.”

“A cast horse can quickly become distressed and injure itself if it is not found and assisted by a handler immediately.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cast” in context.

Verb

01. cast a glance

“She cast a quick glance at her watch to see if she was late for the meeting.”

verb + noun

02. cast a shadow

“The tall skyscraper cast a long shadow over the park during the afternoon.”

verb + noun

03. cast a spell

“In the fairy tale, the wicked witch cast a spell on the prince, turning him into a frog.”

verb + noun

04. cast a vote

“Millions of citizens went to the polls to cast their votes in the general election.”

verb + noun

05. cast an actor

“The director decided to cast a relatively unknown actor in the lead role.”

verb + noun

06. cast doubt on

“New evidence has cast doubt on the accuracy of the witness's statement.”

verb + noun + prep

Noun

07. cast of characters

“The novel features a diverse cast of characters living in Victorian London.”

noun + of + noun

08. plaster cast

“The doctor put a plaster cast on his leg to keep the broken bone in place.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“The cast of Cats: The Jellicle Ball perform at the Tony awards in New York City.”
The Guardian 14 Aug 2026
“But its cast, crew and fans fought for its release.”
The Guardian 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *kas- Proto-Germanic *kastōną Old Norse kastabor. Middle English casten English cast From Middle English casten, from Old Norse kasta (“to throw, cast, overturn”), from Proto-Germanic *kastōną (“to throw, cast”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots cast (“to cast, throw”), Danish kaste (“to throw”), Swedish kasta (“to throw, cast, fling, toss, discard”), Icelandic kasta (“to pitch, toss”). In the sense of "flinging", displaced native warp. The senses relating to broadcasting are based on that same term; compare -cast.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

Related words

Idioms

Domains

AccountingBotanyComputingFishingMedicineNauticalPrinting

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference