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cast

KAST /kæst/

verbnounB1SATTOEFL

neutral

To throw a fishing line out into the water using a rod and reel; the act of throwing the line.

While 'throw' is a general action, 'cast' implies a controlled, deliberate, and often highly skilled flick of the wrist designed to place a lure or bait in a precise location without scaring the fish.

The story behind the word. The Vikings brought the word 'kasta' to England, where it originally meant to throw anything from stones to dice. Anglers adopted this word because the motion of sending a line into the water is a specialized, refined throw. The word's versatility is clear, as we also 'cast' spells, 'cast' actors in plays, and 'cast' shadows.

Word relationships

throw: 'Throw' is forceful and lacks the specific grace, technique, and specialized equipment implied by 'cast'.
fling: 'Fling' implies a careless or wild movement, whereas 'cast' is precise and controlled.

retrieve: 'Retrieve' is the act of winding the line back in, which is the direct opposite of casting it out.

Commonly confused with

pitch: In fishing, 'pitching' is a specific underhand casting technique used for short distances, whereas 'cast' is the general term.

Word family

caster (noun): A person who casts a fishing line.
recast (verb): To cast a line again.

Collocations

perfect cast
cast a line
cast a lure
overhead cast

Idioms & expressions

cast a wide net
cast your line in many waters

Example sentences

"He made a long, elegant cast, sending the artificial fly whispering across the surface of the pool." A description of a fly-fisherman's graceful movement.
"To cast properly, you must release the line at the exact moment the rod tip reaches its forward arc." An instruction on how to begin fishing.

Memory hook

Think of casting a spell with a magic wand; a fishing rod is the angler's wand, and the CAST is the spell. Cast the line out far and fine.

When not to use

Do not use 'cast' when you are simply dropping a line straight down over the side of a boat without a throwing motion; that is simply 'dropping' or 'lowering' the line.

Fun facts

In competitive casting sports, participants do not use hooks; instead, they compete in accuracy and distance events on lawns or pools using standardized weights.

Related words

reel, angler, troll

Explore more words

bait, telecast, maneuver, strike, discard, capture