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

The other candidate is England's third left-arm spinner, Linsey Smith.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Jack Leach remains probably the most reliable spinner in the country, while leg-spinner Mason Crane is bowling well for Glamorgan eight years after he won his only England cap.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

The left-arm spinner was summoned to the attack by Dean after nine overs and was immediately waving her arms to move her own field.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

She bowled accurately, ensuring England did not obviously miss Sophie Ecclestone - the world's number one spinner who sat out the game with a thigh niggle.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

If he has his spinner and he watches it going round and round, he will be able to control himself and not make in his pants.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

• gyroscope