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Synonyms

free throw

American  

noun

Basketball.
free throws plural
  1. foul shot.


free throw British  

noun

  1. basketball an unimpeded shot at the basket from the free-throw line given for a technical fault (one free shot) or a foul (two free shots)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of free throw

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If not, then maybe the free throw shots won’t go in.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

A free throw from Mikal Bridges and Anunoby either side of Dylan Harper's two missed attempts for the Spurs sealed a memorable victory for the Knicks.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

Knicks coach Mike Brown, hardly a confrontationalist, wondered out loud about San Antonio’s 24-to-8 free throw advantage in the second half.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

It’s OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Mitchell Robinson’s defense offsetting his free throw adventures.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

The Beast turned around and glared, and the Colonel almost got kicked out after the first free throw, but he smiled at the ref and said, “Sorry!”

From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green

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