First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1toss
verb \ˈtȯs, ˈtäs\
: to throw (something) with a quick, light motion
: to move or lift (something, such as a part of your body) quickly or suddenly
: to move (something) back and forth or up and down
Full Definition of TOSS
transitive verb
1
a : to fling or heave continuously about, to and fro, or up and down <a ship tossed by waves> b : bandy 2 c : to mix lightly until well coated with a dressing or until the elements are thoroughly combined <toss a salad>
2
: to make uneasy : stir up : disturb
3
a : to throw with a quick, light, or careless motion or with a sudden jerk <toss a ball around> b : to throw up in the air <tossed by a bull> c : match 5a d : to send as if by throwing <tossed in jail> <tossed out of the game> e : to get rid of : throw away
4
a : to fling or lift with a sudden motion <tosses her head angrily> b : to tilt suddenly so as to empty by drinking <tossed his glass>; also : to consume by drinking <toss down a drink>
5
: to accomplish, provide, or produce readily or easily <toss off a few verses>
6
: throw 18 <toss a party>
7
: vomit 1 —often used in the phrase toss one's cookies
intransitive verb
1
a : to move restlessly or turbulently; especially : to twist and turn repeatedly <tossed sleeplessly all night> b : to move with a quick or spirited gesture
2
: to decide an issue by flipping a coin
— toss·er noun
See toss defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TOSS
Middle English
Synonym Discussion of TOSS
throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force. throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm <can throw a fastball and a curve>. cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering <cast it to the winds>. toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion <tossed the coat on the bed>. fling stresses a violent throwing <flung the ring back in his face>. hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight <hurled himself at the intruder>. pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target <pitch horseshoes>. sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim <slung the bag over his shoulder>.
2toss
noun
: the act of throwing or tossing something with a quick, light motion
: the act of throwing a coin up into the air in order to make a decision about something based on which side of the coin is shown after it lands
: the act of moving your head suddenly upward and backward
Full Definition of TOSS
1
: the state or fact of being tossed
2
See toss defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TOSS
1634
TOSSED Defined for Kids
1toss
verb \ˈtȯs\
tossedtoss·ing
Definition of TOSS for Kids
1
: to throw with a quick light motion
2
: to lift with a sudden motion <The horse tossed its head.>
3
: to throw or swing back and forth or up and down <Waves tossed the ship about.>
4
: to be thrown about rapidly <A canoe was tossing on the waves.>
5
: to move about restlessly <Instead of sleeping, he tossed in his bed.>
6
: to stir or mix lightly <tossed salad>
2toss
noun
Definition of TOSS for Kids
1
: an act or instance of throwing something
2
: the act of lifting with a sudden motion <a toss of the head>
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