What does quoit mean?
A quoit is a ring-shaped piece, traditionally made of metal, used in the game of quoits. Players throw the rings toward a peg or raised target, scoring according to how closely they land. The singular therefore refers to an individual object, while "quoits" usually names the game as a whole. Quoits has long been associated with outdoor play, village greens, public gardens and traditional sports grounds, and it also has a recreational presence in pubs and clubs. The game requires less running than bowls but demands controlled timing and accurate placement. Although modern versions may use rubber or plastic rings, traditional sets commonly consist of iron rings played with pegs. The word is useful because it preserves a clear distinction: a quoit is the projectile or target ring itself, not the entire game. It is also easily confused by spelling with "quoin," an unrelated architectural term for a wedge-shaped stone or a building corner.
nounA quoit is a ring-shaped object, usually made of metal, that is thrown or placed on a target or onto pegs in the game of quoits.
- A ring-shaped object thrown or placed in the game of quoits.
- The game of quoits, especially when used in the attributive form "quoits".
"He cast the quoit with a smooth, practised motion and narrowly missed the peg."
"The visitors chose the game of quoits as an informal alternative to bowls."
"A weathered quoit lay in the grass beside the old peg."
The plural commonly names the game as a whole, although it can also refer to multiple individual rings.
"They played quoits on the lawn until dusk."
The word names both the game and the rings at its centre: one small target can turn an ordinary pitch into a contest of precision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quoit come from?
The word appeared in Middle English in forms such as coit and remained associated with throwing rings. Its precise ultimate origin is uncertain, although it is generally traced through northern European linguistic traditions. Over time, the singular came to denote an individual ring while the plural form became established for the game played with quoits.
How quoit is actually used
In British English, "quoits" commonly names the game as a whole, while the singular "quoit" normally refers to an individual ring. The game is also established in the United States, though it is less widely played there.
Easily confused with quoit
A quoit is a ring used in a throwing game, whereas a quoin is a wedge-shaped structural stone or the corner of a building.