toss

[taws, tos]

verb (used with object)

tossed , tost, tossing .

1. to throw, pitch, or fling, especially to throw lightly or carelessly.

   to toss a piece of paper into the wastebasket.

2. to throw or send from one to another, as in play.

   to toss a ball.

3. to throw or pitch with irregular or careless motions; fling or jerk about.

   The ship was tossed by waves.

4. to agitate, disturb, or disquiet.

5. to throw, raise, or jerk upward suddenly.

   She tossed her head disdainfully.

6. to speak or express in a sudden offhand manner; interject.

   He tossed jokes into their serious discussion.

7. to throw (a coin) into the air in order to decide something by the side turned up when it falls (sometimes followed byup ).

8. to toss a coin with (someone).

9. to stir or mix (a salad) lightly until the ingredients are coated with the dressing.

verb (used without object)

tossed , tost, tossing .

1. to pitch, rock, sway, or move irregularly, as a ship on a rough sea or a flag or plumes in the breeze.

2. to fling or jerk oneself or move restlessly about, especially on a bed or couch.

   to toss in one's sleep.

3. to throw something.

4. to throw a coin into the air in order to decide something by the way it falls (sometimes followed byup ).

5. to go with a fling of the body.

   to toss out of a room in a fit of anger.

noun

1. an act or instance of tossing.

2. a pitching about or up and down.

3. a throw or pitch.

4. tossup.

5. the distance to which something is or may be thrown.

6. a sudden fling or jerk of the body, especially a quick upward or backward movement of the head.

verb phrase

1. toss up,  to vomit.

2. toss off

   1. to accomplish quickly or easily.

   2. to consume rapidly, especially to drink something up in one swallow.

      He tossed off a cocktail before dinner.

   3. British Slang.,  to masturbate.

toss

/ tɒs /

verb

1. (tr) to throw lightly or with a flourish, esp with the palm of the hand upwards

2. to fling or be flung about, esp constantly or regularly in an agitated or violent way

   a ship tosses in a storm

3. to discuss or put forward for discussion in an informal way

4. (tr) (of an animal such as a horse) to throw (its rider)

5. (tr) (of an animal) to butt with the head or the horns and throw into the air

   the bull tossed the matador

6. (tr) to shake, agitate, or disturb

7. to toss up a coin with (someone) in order to decide or allot something

   I'll toss you for it

   let's toss for it

8. (intr) to move away angrily or impatiently

   she tossed out of the room

noun

1. an abrupt movement

2. a rolling or pitching motion

3. the act or an instance of tossing

4. the act of tossing up a coin See toss up

5. a fall from a horse or other animal

6. to wrangle or dispute at length

7. slang,  to be concerned or interested (esp in the phrase not give a toss )

Other Word Forms

• tosser noun
• tossingly adverb
• untossed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toss¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of toss¹

C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian, Swedish tossa to strew

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. toss one's cookies, cookie.

2. toss one's hat in the ring. hat.

More idioms and phrases containing toss

• throw (toss) one's hat in the ring
• throw away (toss out)

Synonym Study

See throw.

Example Sentences

India won the toss and elected to field and restricted Nepal to 114-5.

Read more on Barron's

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test on Saturday as the tourists look to clinch their first series win in India in 25 years.

Read more on Barron's

Surprisingly batting first on winning the toss, England 'Bazballed' their way into trouble.

Read more on BBC

Batting after captain Ben Stokes won the toss on a fine morning, the visitors stumbled to 105-4 at lunch with Joe Root out for a duck on a lively wicket.

Read more on Barron's

At the forefront is Unitree, which went viral in January after its humanoid robots performed a Chinese folk dance live, marching rhythmically while tossing and twirling handkerchiefs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times