Cast vs Toss

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Cast

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 verb

Toss

Top 2,000 (common) C1 verb

Most common: Cast

	Cast	Toss
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kɑːst/","/kɑːsts/","/ˈkɑːstɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kæst/","/kæsts/","/ˈkæstɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/tɒs/","/ˈtɒsɪz/","/tɒst/","/ˈtɒsɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/tɔːs/","/ˈtɔːsɪz/","/tɔːst/","/ˈtɔːsɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To throw something or to put it somewhere.	To throw something lightly.
Example	She decided to cast her line into the lake hoping to catch some fish.	She decided to toss the old clothes into the donation bin.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B2	C1
Part of speech	verb	verb
Collocations	cast a spell, cast a vote, cast a net, cast doubt, cast a shadow	carelessly, casually, unceremoniously, into, out of, to, carelessly, casually, unceremoniously, into, out of, to, restlessly, about, around, toss and turn, gently, lightly, well, in
Antonyms	catch, receive	catch, hold, retain
Common mistakes	Confused with 'caused' in pronunciation., Used with incorrect verbs, e.g., saying 'cast a picture' instead of 'cast a role'., Misunderstanding the past tense; the past form is 'cast', not 'casted'.	'Toss' used incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'toss' with 'throw' and using it in inappropriate contexts., Using 'toss' only in sports contexts.
Usage notes	Used in various contexts, like throwing a fishing line or acting in a play. Not usually used in very casual conversations.	Use 'toss' when you mean to throw something casually or without much force. It's suitable in informal contexts but can also be used neutrally. Avoid in very formal writing.

See it in real clips

Avengers › Avengers Infinity War

But it cast me out, banished me here.

Stranger Things › S1 E1

He cast Fireball.

...they'll cast you out like a leper.

Avengers › Avengers Infinity War

But it cast me out, banished me here.

Stranger Things › S1 E1

He cast Fireball.

Cast

She tossed and turned for over an hour, unable to sleep.

Toss

Frequently asked questions: Cast vs Toss

What's the difference between Cast and Toss?

Cast: To throw something or to put it somewhere. Toss: To throw something lightly.

Which is more common: Cast and Toss?

Cast is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Cast and Toss?

Toss is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Cast and Toss the same CEFR level?

Cast: B2, Toss: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Cast and Toss?

Cast: verb, Toss: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Cast: She decided to cast her line into the lake hoping to catch some fish. Toss: She decided to toss the old clothes into the donation bin.

Can I use Cast and Toss interchangeably?

Not always. Cast and Toss are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.