ENGLISH
REFERENCE

toss

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈtɔs// UK //tˈɒs// toss Archaic Informal Slang Vulgar

v. to throw something lightly or carelessly, often with a quick motion of your hand. You might use this when you are throwing a ball to a friend or putting trash in a bin.

v. to throw something with a light, casual, or careless motion. Often implies a lack of precise aim or a low-velocity underhand movement.


SIMPLE

He decided to toss the keys to his brother.

CONTEXTUAL

She didn't have time to fold the laundry, so she just had to toss the clothes into the basket.

COMPLEX

Before starting the meeting, the manager would habitually toss a stress ball against the wall while organizing his thoughts for the presentation.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English tossen (“to buffet about, agitate, toss; to sift or winnow”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Old Norse (compare dialectal Norwegian tossa, dialectal Swedish tossa (“to strew, spread”)), or perhaps from an alteration of Middle English tosen (“to tease, pull apart, shred; to wound, injure”). Compare also Dutch tassen (“to pile or heap up, stack”). The Welsh tos (“a quick jerk”) and tosio (“to jerk, toss”) are probably borrowed from the English.

Usage

The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object; it can also function as a ditransitive verb ('toss someone something').

Idioms1 entry

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