WordGarden.iospinner
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈɪnə/
US
- /ˈspɪnər/
Meanings
Noun
a small toy or handheld gadget designed to spin, especially a fidget spinner
a suitcase with four wheels that swivel in all directions
a bowler who makes the ball turn by imparting spin, especially in cricket
More meaningsFewer meanings
a software interface element such as a loading animation or numeric stepper control
a fishing lure with a spinning blade that flashes in the water
Beyond the definition
A spinner is usually something that spins or someone whose job or role involves spinning. It might be a small rotating part, a fishing lure with blades that turn in the water, or a fidget toy that spins between your fingers. It can also mean a person who spins wool or other fibers into yarn. In cricket, a spinner is a bowler who makes the ball turn after it hits the ground. In some contexts, it can even mean a DJ who "spins" records. The exact meaning depends on the setting, but the idea of turning is almost always there.
The word "spinner" has several meanings, but most of them connect to the idea of turning or spinning. At its core, a spinner is often a part or object that rotates. It can refer to a mechanical piece that turns, or to something made to spin on purpose. "The turbine's spinner whirred with incredible speed as the engine roared to life."
However, the term is not limited to machinery. Historically, a spinner is a person who turns raw fibers such as flax or wool into yarn, often with a spinning wheel. In a more modern music setting, a DJ may also be called a spinner because they "spin" records on a turntable.
In sports and hobbies, the term is also common. In cricket, a spinner is a bowler who uses finger or wrist action to give the ball spin, making it change direction after it lands. For people who fish, a spinner is a lure with one or more metal blades that turn in the water and attract fish with flash and movement.
In recent years, many people have come to know the word through the "fidget spinner," a small handheld toy designed to spin freely between the fingers. "The classroom was once filled with the quiet, rhythmic hum of spinning fidget spinners." The word can sometimes be used more loosely for someone who shapes a story to influence others, though that meaning is less direct and usually appears in special contexts. Whether you meet the word in mechanics, crafts, sports, music, or everyday toys, the same basic image remains: something, or someone, that spins.
Examples
- 1
Board game
The spinner landed on blue, so it was my turn.
- 2
Fidget toy
My nephew brought his fidget spinner everywhere for a few months.
- 3
Loading screen
The app showed a spinner while it uploaded the video.
- Domain
on a screen, a spinner is a moving symbol that shows something is loading
- 4
Fishing lure
He put a bright spinner on the line before he started fishing.
- Domain
in fishing, a spinner is a lure with a small spinning blade
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- spinnernoun
Forms
- spinnerspluralnoun