spinner

[ spin-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that spins.
2. Angling. a lure, as a spoon bait, that revolves in the water in trolling and casting.
3. Also called spinner play. Football. a play in which the player carrying the ball twirls about, to deceive the other team as to where the player intends to hit the line.
4. Aeronautics. a streamlined fairing over a propeller hub.
5. British Informal. nightjar.
6. Slang. a disc jockey.

spinner

/ ˈspɪnə /

noun

1. a person or thing that spins
2. informal.
   a spin doctor
3. cricket
   1. a ball that is bowled with a spinning motion
   2. a bowler who specializes in bowling such balls
4. a streamlined fairing that fits over and revolves with the hub of an aircraft propeller
5. a fishing lure with a fin or wing that revolves when drawn through the water
6. an angler's name for the mature adult form (imago) of various flies, especially the mayflies Compare dun 2

Other Words From

• under·spinner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinner¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, spinner is from the Middle English word spinnere. See spin, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Some sources in government have expressed concerns that the chancellor is creating unnecessary grief over a change that is not, in relative terms, a huge money spinner.

From BBC

The 30-year-old targeted the England spinners and brought up his 17th ODI ton in 118 balls while Rutherford added a blistering 54 from 36 balls to build on his captain's innings.

From BBC

That was the first of four successive wickets to fall to the spinner, before seamer Alzarri Joseph returned to wrap up the innings.

From BBC

In terms of average lateral deviation for spinners, these games were in the top quarter of matches where ball-tracking data is available, but not in the top sixth.

From BBC

While the batters and pace bowlers breathe a sigh of relief, the spinners must wonder where it leaves them.

From BBC

Related Words

• gyroscope