Synonyms

free throw

American

noun

Basketball.

foul shot.

free throw British

noun

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

free throws

plural

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.

See Examples For:

free throw

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

Brunson snatched up the ball, drew a foul and made a free throw.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Mitchell scored, was fouled by Smart and made the free throw for a three-point play and a 95-92 Thunder lead.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

“Even if you can’t shoot a free throw worth diddly?” said Christopher.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023