bowler

¹ American  

[boh-ler] / ˈboʊ lər /

noun

1. a person who bowl, especially a participant in a bowling game, as candlepins or tenpins.

2. Cricket. the player who throws the ball to be played by the batsman.

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bowler ² American  

[boh-ler] / ˈboʊ lər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. derby.

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bowler ¹ British  

/ ˈbəʊlə /

noun

1. one who bowls in cricket

2. a player at the game of bowls

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bowler ² British  

/ ˈbəʊlə /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: derby.  a stiff felt hat with a rounded crown and narrow curved brim

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bowler ³ British  

/ ˈbaʊlə /

noun

1. dialect a dog

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Etymology

Origin of bowler¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; bowl ² + -er ¹

Origin of bowler²

First recorded in 1860–65; bowl ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Former England fast bowler Gough was interviewed for the national selector role, losing out to North, who has been director of cricket at Durham since 2018.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

With Broad, Anderson and Chris Woakes all retiring from international cricket in successive years, England have a vacancy for a new-ball bowler and attack leader.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

And that is a great shame, because watching the energy and enthusiasm Baker puts into his stories is a feature of a conversation with the Hampshire pace bowler.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Now Sussex captain, leading his team to two wins from two, many rate Robinson as the best new-ball bowler in the country.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

His chin went up instead of down, and there was a glint in his eye that he had not possessed when he had worn a bowler hat.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

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