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

From the fourth delivery he faced, and first from England fast bowler Jofra Archer, Sooryavanshi audaciously whipped over his shoulder for six.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026

“They’ve put a bad mark on the sport,” said Robert Wunderlich, a competitive bowler in Augusta, Ga. He runs a Facebook group called “Bowlero Sucks/Lucky Strike Sucks,” referring to the company’s previous name.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

“I went ballistic,” said the 45-year old competitive bowler, who delivered a few choice words to the staff that night last year and nearly got ejected.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

There was a brief point when, by targeting leg side, Devine threatened to derail England but Bell - a much-improved death bowler - returned to have her lbw in the 16th over.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

A voice she recognizes even before she turns to find Marco standing behind her, completely drenched in rain, droplets cascading from the brim of his bowler hat.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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