spinner

American  

[spin-er] / ˈspɪn ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that spins.

2. Angling. a lure, as a spoon bait, that revolves in the water in trolling and casting.

3. Also called spinner play.  Football. a play in which the player carrying the ball twirls about, to deceive the other team as to where the player intends to hit the line.

4. Aeronautics. a streamlined fairing over a propeller hub.

5. British Informal. nightjar.

6. Slang. a disc jockey.

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spinner British  

/ ˈspɪnə /

noun

1. a person or thing that spins

2. informal a spin doctor

3. cricket

   1. a ball that is bowled with a spinning motion

   2. a bowler who specializes in bowling such balls

4. a streamlined fairing that fits over and revolves with the hub of an aircraft propeller

5. a fishing lure with a fin or wing that revolves when drawn through the water

6. an angler's name for the mature adult form (imago) of various flies, especially the mayflies Compare dun 2

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Other Word Forms

• underspinner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of spinner

First recorded in 1175–1225, spinner is from the Middle English word spinnere. See spin, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Spinner Usman Tariq, a star of the recent T20 World Cup, was the subject of bids from Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets - two franchises not affiliated to the IPL.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Spinner Chakravarthy is India's leading wicket-taker in the tournament but in key matches against West Indies and South Africa he has conceded 40 and 47 runs respectively.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy took two key wickets including Tim Robinson, for 21, and Chapman.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Spinner Shoaib Bashir, earmarked for this tour more than a year ago, did not play a Test.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Spinner, zapper, super-zapper, clear a level, avoid the spikes.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• gyroscope