What does tossing mean?
Tossing is the present-participle and gerund form of toss, an English verb with both literal and figurative uses. Literally, it describes throwing something through the air, often lightly or repeatedly, as when someone tosses a ball or a coin. Tossing can also imply throwing something aside without serious consideration, such as tossing away a letter or tossing an idea into a conversation. In the expression “tossing and turning,” it means moving restlessly, particularly during sleep. A less common informal sense is vomiting. The word is useful because its central image of light, casual movement supports several related meanings: physical handling, casual rejection, informal discussion, and emotional restlessness. Although usually an inflected form rather than an independent dictionary word, tossing carries these meanings clearly and is common in both British and American English.
verbThrowing something, especially upward or from one person to another. In extended senses, it means rejecting something casually, putting an idea forward informally, or turning restlessly.
- To throw something, especially upward or from one person to another.
- To throw or discard something with little concern or care.
- To express, suggest, or put forward an idea casually.
- To turn restlessly, especially in bed.
- To vomit; used mainly in informal and dialectal contexts.
"She caught the ball and began tossing it gently toward him."
"The children were tossing a ball across the beach while the gulls circled overhead."
"She spent the evening tossing ideas for the article to her editor."
Tossing an idea to someone can mean offering it, while tossing an idea away means abandoning it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tossing come from?
Tossing is an inflection of toss, a verb recorded in English by the late 16th century. The precise origin of toss is uncertain, so it cannot confidently be traced to a particular earlier language or securely linked to a group of outside cognates. English subsequently developed the word’s literal and figurative senses, while forms such as toss-up and tossy were derived from the same verb.
Related word forms
How tossing is actually used
“Tossing” is normally the present participle or gerund of “toss,” rather than a separate verb. It also functions as a gerund noun in constructions such as “the tossing of the waves,” where the action is treated as a noun.