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

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>

: to make uneasy : stir up : disturb

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

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>

: to accomplish, provide, or produce readily or easily <toss off a few verses>

: throw 18 <toss a party>

: vomit 1 —often used in the phrase toss one's cookies

intransitive verb

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

: to decide an issue by flipping a coin

— toss·er noun

See toss defined for English-language learners

See toss defined for kids

Origin of TOSS

Middle English

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TOSS

Synonyms: careen, lurch, pitch, roll, seesaw, sway, rock, wobble (also wabble)

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>.