cast
cast — verb
1. to choose actors for the characters of a stage or screen production, or to selec
to choose actors for the characters of a stage or screen production, or to select every performer needed for that production.
The director cast a young actor from Seoul in the lead role.
cast [actor] in [role]
After months of searching, the producers cast Arjun as the villain.
cast [actor] as [character]
Felipe was cast as the grandfather even though he was only forty years old.
Casting a whole season of the show took nearly six months.
casting + [production]
The theatre company is casting the supporting roles this week.
- cast in the role of
- cast as
- cast the lead
- well cast
- badly cast
Grammar Patterns
cast + actor + as + role
cast + actor + in + role
be + cast as + role
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive ('She was cast as the hero') or in the pattern 'cast [actor] in/as [role].' The direct object can be the production itself ('cast the film'), but more commonly it is the performer.
Common Mistakes
2. to make light, shade, or a glow appear on or across a surface.
to make light, shade, or a glow appear on or across a surface.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the garden wall.
cast + shadow + across [surface]
A single reading lamp cast a warm glow over the old wooden desk.
cast + glow
The tall apartment building cast the narrow street into deep shade.
Candles on the windowsill cast soft light onto the snowy path outside.
- cast a shadow
- cast light
- cast a glow
- cast darkness
- cast shade
- absorb
opposite action; a surface that absorbs light does not cast it
Grammar Patterns
cast + [light/shadow] + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
The direct object is nearly always a light-related noun: 'light,' 'shadow,' 'glow,' 'darkness,' 'shade.' Frequently followed by a prepositional phrase with 'on,' 'over,' 'across,' or 'into' that tells where the light or shadow falls. This sense is typically literal; for the metaphorical use, see sense 3.
Common Mistakes
3. to provide information or an explanation that helps people understand a difficul
to provide information or an explanation that helps people understand a difficult situation, problem, or mystery.
The old letters cast new light on what happened before the war.
cast light on [topic]
Brooke's research could cast light on why some children develop the allergy.
The witness's statement cast light on the events of that night.
A recent study cast light on how babies recognise their mothers' voices.
- cast light on
- shed light on
- cast new light on
- cast fresh light on
- clarify
more direct; 'cast light on' is more idiomatic and descriptive
- explain
simpler and broader; 'cast light on' suggests revealing something previously hidden
- illuminate
more formal; shares the visual metaphor of 'light'
Grammar Patterns
cast + light + on + [topic]
Usage Note
Only used in the fixed phrase 'cast light on' (or the more common variant 'shed light on'). The object of 'on' is always the thing being explained — a mystery, situation, problem, or question. Never used transitively with a direct object outside this phrase pattern.
Common Mistakes
4. to direct a look, smile, or other expression toward someone or something with a
to direct a look, smile, or other expression toward someone or something with a particular feeling.
Élise cast a worried look at her brother as the storm grew louder.
cast a [adjective] look at [person]
The teacher cast a suspicious glance around the exam room.
Felix cast a hopeful smile toward the audience before beginning his song.
cast a [adjective] smile toward [audience]
Layla cast a longing glance at the dessert counter but ordered tea instead.
- cast a look
- cast a glance
- cast a smile
- cast an eye
Grammar Patterns
cast + [a look/glance/smile] + at/toward/around + [person/place]
Usage Note
The direct object is always a word for an expression or look: 'look,' 'glance,' 'smile,' 'eye.' The feeling carried by the look is described by an adjective before that noun. Typically followed by a preposition like 'at,' 'toward,' 'around,' or 'over.' Distinguish from sense 5, which specifically means a quick examination of a document or object.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'She cast him a suspicious look.' — This pattern (indirect object + direct object) is actually acceptable in informal English, though 'She cast a suspicious look at him' is more standard in writing.
5. to give a brief, hasty look at something such as a written page, without reading
to give a brief, hasty look at something such as a written page, without reading it carefully.
Could you cast an eye over my essay before I hand it in tomorrow?
cast an eye over [document]
Sumin cast a quick glance at the report and spotted two errors.
cast a quick glance at [thing]
The mechanic cast an experienced eye over the engine and knew what was wrong.
Zuri cast her eyes over the newspaper headlines while waiting for coffee.
- cast an eye over
- cast a glance at
- cast one's eyes over
Grammar Patterns
cast + an eye + over + [document]
cast + a glance + at/over + [thing]
Usage Note
Common in the fixed phrases 'cast an eye over' and 'cast a glance at/over.' The object of the preposition is what gets examined — never the direct object of 'cast.' Distinguish from sense 4: sense 4 is about directing an expression with feeling toward someone, while sense 5 is about a quick, practical examination of something.
Common Mistakes
6. to send video, audio, or other media from a computer, phone, or tablet to a scre
to send video, audio, or other media from a computer, phone, or tablet to a screen or speaker over a wireless connection.
Dewi cast the movie from her phone to the living room television.
cast [content] from [device] to [device]
The app lets you cast photos directly to any screen in the house.
Esteban tried to cast his presentation to the conference room projector.
This speaker can cast audio to other rooms without any cables.
cast [audio] to [location]
- cast to
- cast from
- cast audio
- cast video
- cast screen
Grammar Patterns
cast + [content] + to + [device]
cast + to + [device]
Usage Note
Can be used transitively ('cast the video to the TV') or intransitively ('The app casts easily'). The preposition 'to' introduces the receiving device. Common in technology contexts and growing in everyday use. The past form remains 'cast' ('She cast the video yesterday'), not 'casted.'
Common Mistakes
7. to send something through the air in a particular direction, often with a quick
to send something through the air in a particular direction, often with a quick movement of the arm
Justin cast the fishing net into the dark water and waited.
cast + noun + into [place]
Tamar cast a pebble at the window to get her friend's attention.
cast + noun + at [target]
Nala cast her old boots into the rubbish bin without hesitation.
Élise cast the ball across the field to her teammate.
- cast + net
- cast + stone
- cast + anchor
- catch
to receive and hold something that has been thrown
Grammar Patterns
cast + noun + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
More formal and literary than throw. The direction must be stated using a preposition such as into, at, across, or toward.
Common Mistakes
8. to throw a fishing line or net into the water in order to catch fish
to throw a fishing line or net into the water in order to catch fish
Sahil stood at the riverbank and cast his line into the flowing current.
cast + possessive + line + into [place]
Hamza taught his nephew how to cast without making too much noise.
intransitive use: cast without an object
Quan cast the net from the small wooden boat and waited.
Mayumi cast for trout near the shallow end of the lake.
cast for + fish type
- cast a line
- cast a net
- cast for trout
- cast for salmon
Grammar Patterns
cast + noun (line / net)
cast for + fish type
Usage Note
Can be used without an object when the context clearly refers to fishing: 'He cast and waited for a bite.'
9. to cause people to begin questioning the truth, value, or honesty of a particula
to cause people to begin questioning the truth, value, or honesty of a particular thing or person
The new evidence cast doubt on the witness's statement.
fixed expression: cast doubt on [noun]
Manuela's financial report cast doubt on the company's future.
Romi's lawyer cast doubt on the reliability of the test results.
cast doubt on + noun phrase (reliability of...)
Mathieu's strange behaviour cast doubt on his version of events.
- cast doubt on
- cast doubt upon
- confirm
to show that something is definitely true or correct
Grammar Patterns
cast doubt on + noun phrase
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed expression cast doubt on/upon + noun phrase. No article a or the is used before doubt in this pattern.
Common Mistakes
10. to deliberately bring to mind a memory or event from the past
to deliberately bring to mind a memory or event from the past
Mayumi cast her mind back to her first day at the new school.
fixed expression: cast your mind back to [time]
Justin cast back to the summer when they had first met.
short form: cast back to [event]
Nala cast her thoughts back to the conversation with her grandmother.
Tamar cast back through the years, trying to recall the exact date.
- cast your mind back
- cast back to
- cast your thoughts back
- forget
to no longer be able to remember something
Grammar Patterns
cast your mind back to + time
cast back to + event
Usage Note
Commonly used in the fixed phrases cast your mind back (to) or cast back to. The object is typically mind, thoughts, or memory.
Common Mistakes
11. to formally record a selection for a candidate or party in an election
to formally record a selection for a candidate or party in an election
Hamza cast his vote for the candidate who promised better schools.
collocation: cast your vote for [candidate]
Quan was the first in his family to cast a ballot in a national election.
collocation: cast a ballot
Sahil cast his vote early in the morning before going to work.
Élise encouraged everyone in her neighbourhood to cast their votes.
- cast a vote
- cast a ballot
- cast your vote for
Grammar Patterns
cast your vote for + person/party
cast a ballot
Usage Note
More formal than vote. Very common in news reporting and official election contexts. The noun following cast is usually vote or ballot.
12. to create a solid object from metal by heating it until it becomes liquid, then
to create a solid object from metal by heating it until it becomes liquid, then pouring the liquid into a container that has the shape you want
Mathieu learned to cast bronze in the workshop behind his house.
transitive: cast + metal type
The factory casts iron pipes for the local water system.
passive use: be cast for [purpose]
Manuela cast a small bell using melted silver and a clay mold.
Romi's grandfather used to cast fishing weights from lead.
cast + object + from + material
Jin cast the molten metal into the mold and waited for it to cool.
- cast in bronze
- cast from silver
- cast iron
- cast a statue
- cast a bell
Grammar Patterns
cast + noun (material)
cast + noun (object) from + material
cast in + material
Usage Note
The direct object can be either the finished object (cast a statue) or the material (cast bronze). Common preposition patterns: cast from (material), cast in (material).
Common Mistakes
13. to speak special words that are believed to have supernatural power, usually in
to speak special words that are believed to have supernatural power, usually in order to make something good or bad happen to someone or something
The old woman claimed she could cast a spell to bring the family good luck.
cast + a spell (most common collocation)
A powerful curse was cast on the village by the angry witch in the story.
passive: be cast + on + place/person
To cast a love charm, you must whisper the words under a full moon.
Nkechi believed the healer could cast a protection spell to keep her children safe.
- cast a spell
- cast a curse
- cast a charm
- cast magic
Grammar Patterns
cast + object (a spell, a curse, a charm, magic)
cast + object + on/over + someone
Usage Note
The direct object is almost always a noun that names a specific type of magic — such as 'spell', 'curse', or 'charm'. Using 'cast magic' alone is much less common and sounds unnatural to many native speakers.
Common Mistakes
14. when a snake, lizard, or similar reptile sheds the worn covering on its body as
when a snake, lizard, or similar reptile sheds the worn covering on its body as part of its natural growth cycle
The snake cast its skin for the first time since arriving at the zoo.
snake + cast + its skin (standard collocation)
A healthy python will cast its skin every few months while it grows.
Apinya watched in amazement as the garden lizard cast its old dry skin.
The children asked the zookeeper why the gecko had not cast its skin yet.
- cast its skin
- cast their skin
- cast old skin
- retain
to keep or hold on to something rather than losing it
Grammar Patterns
cast + possessive determiner + skin
Usage Note
Only used for reptiles and similar animals (snakes, lizards, geckos). For mammals shedding fur or birds shedding feathers, use 'shed' or 'molt' instead.
Common Mistakes
be cast away
phrasal verbTo be left alone on a deserted island or remote place after a shipwreck.
The sailor was cast away on a small island for years.
After the storm, the crew was cast away on a deserted shore.
be cast down
phrasal verbTo feel sad or discouraged.
She was cast down by the bad news from home.
Don't be cast down; things will get better soon.
cast about for
phrasal verbTo search in many directions for something you need.
He cast about for a solution to the problem.
The team cast about for new ideas to improve sales.
cast around for
phrasal verbTo look around for something, often in a worried or desperate way.
She cast around for her keys but couldn't find them.
The manager cast around for a replacement at the last minute.
cast aside
phrasal verbTo get rid of or stop using something or someone because you no longer need them.
He cast aside his old friends after becoming famous.
The company cast aside outdated equipment for new machines.
cast off
phrasal verbTo remove or get rid of something that you no longer want.
She cast off her winter coat as spring arrived.
The ship cast off its ropes and sailed away.
cast on
phrasal verbTo make the first stitches on a knitting needle to start a piece of knitting.
She cast on twenty stitches to start the scarf.
He learned how to cast on from his grandmother.
cast out
phrasal verbTo force someone to leave a place or group.
The community cast out the thief after his crime.
She was cast out of the club for breaking the rules.
To quickly look at or check something.
Sara ran her eyes over the contract before signing it.
Could you cast an eye over my essay for mistakes?
To make something easier to understand by providing new information.
The new evidence shed light on the old mystery.
Can you throw light on why the project failed?
To think about something that happened in the past.
Cast your mind back to our first meeting in Paris.
He cast his mind back to his childhood summers.
cast your net wide
idiomTo consider many different options or people when searching for something.
When job hunting, it's wise to cast your net wide.
The recruiter cast her net wide to find the best candidate.
To use magical words to influence or change someone or something.
The witch cast a spell on the prince, turning him into a frog.
The beautiful music cast a spell on the entire audience.
the die is cast
idiomUsed to say that a decision has been made and cannot be changed.
Once he signed the contract, the die was cast.
After announcing his candidacy, the die was cast for him.
To choose someone or something by picking a marked piece of paper from a group.
They drew lots to decide who would go first.
The team cast lots for the prize money.
To stop being careful and start taking risks.
She threw caution to the wind and quit her job.
He cast caution to the wind and invested all his savings.
cast — noun
1. the group of performers who act together in a theatrical production, film, or te
the group of performers who act together in a theatrical production, film, or television programme
The cast of the new musical includes Charlotte and over twenty other performers.
countable noun with singular/plural verb
After the first rehearsal, the director asked the cast to stay for a group photo.
Eitan joined the cast of the television series at the start of its third season.
The cast and crew worked together for six months to finish the movie on time.
collocation: cast and crew
An all-star cast was chosen for the play, which sold out every night.
compound: all-star cast
- entire cast
- all-star cast
- cast member
- supporting cast
- cast list
- cast and crew
- join the cast
Grammar Patterns
cast + singular/plural verb
Usage Note
When the cast is considered as one unit, use a singular verb; when the individual members are emphasised, use a plural verb.
Common Mistakes
2. a solid shape that forms when a melted substance such as metal or plaster is pou
a solid shape that forms when a melted substance such as metal or plaster is poured into a mould and then hardens
A plaster cast of the ancient statue is now on display at the city museum.
collocation: plaster cast
Defne watched a worker pour molten bronze into a sand cast to create the sculpture.
The museum keeps several bronze casts of famous Roman statues in its collection.
compound: bronze cast
Arjun bought a small plaster lion cast from the gallery gift shop.
A cast of the dinosaur bone was sent to laboratories around the world for study.
- bronze cast
- plaster cast
- metal cast
- make a cast
- cast of [something]
- moulding
a shaped object produced in a mould, usually made of plastic or plaster rather than metal
Usage Note
A cast is the finished object that comes out of a mould. The mould itself is not a cast — it is the container that gives the cast its shape.
Common Mistakes
3. a hard protective covering made of plaster, fibreglass, or another stiff materia
a hard protective covering made of plaster, fibreglass, or another stiff material that is placed around a broken bone to keep it in the correct position while it heals
Jude wore a cast on his wrist for six weeks after falling off his bike.
collocation: wear a cast
The doctor carefully removed the old cast and put on a new, lighter one.
Valentina's bright pink cast was signed with messages by all of her classmates.
The nurse cut off the cast with a saw that did not touch the skin.
collocation: plaster cast; passive verb: cast is removed
Shirin's leg cast was covered in colourful stickers from her friends at school.
- plaster cast
- wear a cast
- put on a cast
- remove a cast
- arm/leg cast
- in a cast
- plaster
shortened informal form; 'My arm is in plaster' means the same as 'My arm is in a cast'
Usage Note
Often used with the verbs 'wear', 'put on', 'remove', 'take off'. A cast is not the same as a splint — a splint is temporary and removable, while a cast is hard and stays on for weeks.
Common Mistakes
4. the situation in which a person's broken arm, leg, or other body part is covered
the situation in which a person's broken arm, leg, or other body part is covered by a hard plaster or fibreglass covering that keeps the bone in position as it mends
Élise's brother could not play football that season with his leg in a cast.
pattern: [body part] + in a cast
The doctor said my ankle must be in a cast for four more weeks.
Indra found it very difficult to write homework with her right hand in a cast.
When Rin's arm was in a cast, her classmates helped her carry books between classes.
The nurse told Ignacio to keep his wrist in a cast until the follow-up appointment.
collocation: keep [body part] in a cast
- in a cast
- arm in a cast
- leg in a cast
- keep [body part] in a cast
- in plaster
British English; 'My leg is in plaster' means the same as 'My leg is in a cast'
Grammar Patterns
body part + be + in a cast
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used in the phrase 'be in a cast' with a body part as the subject. It describes the situation of having a cast, not the cast object itself. Compare sense 3, which refers to the physical object.
Common Mistakes
5. the process of sending an image, video, or other digital material from a gadget
the process of sending an image, video, or other digital material from a gadget such as a laptop, phone, or tablet to a screen, television, or projector so that it appears there for others to see
Amihan set up a screen cast of her laptop so everyone could see the charts.
countable noun: a cast of [content]
The app supports the cast of videos and photos directly to a smart television.
A wireless cast from the phone to the TV took only a few seconds.
compound: wireless cast
The teacher used a screen cast from her tablet to show maths problems in class.
compound: screen cast
A cast of the presentation appeared on the screen at the front of the room.
- screen cast
- wireless cast
- do a cast
- cast to [device]
- support cast
Usage Note
In technology contexts, 'cast' is often used as a verb ('cast your screen'), but the noun form is common in phrases such as 'a screen cast', 'a wireless cast', or 'a cast of [content]'. The process is also called 'screen mirroring'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/7
Cast, throw, toss, hurl, and fling all describe sending something through the air, but they differ in register, force, and context. Cast is the most formal and literary of the group; you would use it in writing ('The fisherman cast his net') or in fixed expressions ('cast a vote', 'cast a shadow'), but less often in casual conversation. Throw is the everyday, neutral word and can be used in almost any context ('She threw the ball to her brother'). Toss suggests a light, casual, or gentle motion, often over a short distance ('He tossed the keys onto the table'). Hurl and fling both imply great force or strong emotion: hurl suggests aggressive, forceful throwing ('The protester hurled a bottle at the police'), while fling suggests a more impulsive, sweeping motion often driven by anger or desperation ('She flung her bag onto the bed and stormed out'). In zh-TW, cast corresponds to 投 (formal/literary), throw to 扔 (neutral/colloquial), toss to 輕拋 (gentle), hurl to 猛擲 (violent), and fling to 甩 (impulsive). For learners, remember: cast is the word for formal contexts and fixed collocations; throw covers most everyday situations; toss, hurl, and fling add specific nuances of weight, force, and emotion.
Common collocations
Nouns
- cast of characters
- cast list
- cast member
- cast iron
- cast stone
- cast bronze
- plaster cast
- supporting cast
- ensemble cast
- screen cast
Verbs
- cast a shadow over
- cast light on
- cast doubt on
- cast a glance at
- cast an eye over
- cast a vote
- cast a spell
- cast a net
- cast a line
- cast lots
- cast pearls before swine
Phrases
- cast your mind back
- cast your vote
- cast the first stone
- cast doubt on
- cast a spell on
- cast a shadow
- cast in stone
- cast aside
- cast off
- cast out
Prepositions
- cast in
- cast as
- cast on
- cast over
- cast across
- cast into
- cast from
- cast to
- cast for
Etymology
Cast comes from Old Norse kasta meaning 'to throw', which entered Middle English in the 13th century. The original sense of physically throwing something gave rise to numerous metaphorical extensions that emerged over the following centuries: directing a look, emitting light or shadow, recording a vote, assigning actors to roles, and forming molten metal in a mould. The notion of 'sending forth' or 'projecting' unites all these modern uses. The Old English equivalent weorpan (to throw) was gradually replaced by cast under Scandinavian influence.