cast

To send light onto a surface or make a shadow appear on it.

• The tree casts a shadow.
• Candles cast a warm glow across the room.
• The tower cast long shadows over the street.

How to use it: cast light/a shadow on something (The lamp cast light on the table.)

Common phrases: cast a shadow, cast light on something, cast long shadows

To make something easier to understand by giving new information about it.

• The letter casts light on her plans.
• New evidence cast light on the mystery.
• Will this study cast more light on the problem?

How to use it: cast light on something (The interview cast light on his decision.)

Similar words: clarify, illuminate, shed light on

Opposites: obscure

Common phrases: cast light on something, cast new light, cast further light

To make people less sure that something is true or reliable.

• His silence casts doubt on the claim.
• The test results cast doubt on our theory.
• These errors have cast serious doubt on the report's accuracy.

How to use it: cast doubt on something (The missing records cast doubt on his account.)

Similar words: call into question, question

Opposites: confirm

Common phrases: cast doubt on something, cast serious doubt, cast further doubt

To officially give your choice in an election or other vote.

• Everyone can cast a vote.
• He cast his ballot before work.
• Most members cast their votes against the proposal.

How to use it: cast a vote for/against someone/something (She cast her vote for the younger candidate.)

Similar words: vote

Opposites: abstain

Common phrases: cast a vote, cast your ballot, cast votes for someone

To look quickly at someone or something, often with a particular feeling.

• She cast a glance at me.
• He cast a nervous look towards the door.
• They cast one last glance around the empty room.

How to use it: cast a glance/look at someone/something (She cast a glance at the clock.); cast a glance over something (He cast a glance over his shoulder.)

Similar words: glance, look

Common phrases: cast a glance, cast a look, cast an anxious glance

To make an object by putting liquid material into a shaped container and letting it become hard.

• They cast the parts in iron.
• The statue was cast in bronze.
• She casts small figures using a rubber mould.

How to use it: cast something in a material (The artist cast the figure in bronze.); cast something from a material (They cast the handle from recycled metal.)

Similar words: mould, mold

Common phrases: cast in bronze, cast a statue, cast iron parts

All the actors who perform in a film, play, or television show.

• The cast was excellent.
• She joined the cast last month.
• We met several members of the film's cast.

How to use it: cast of something (The cast of the play took a bow.)

Similar words: actors, performers

Common phrases: cast and crew, the main cast, join the cast

A hard cover around an injured body part that keeps a broken bone still while it heals.

• His leg is in a cast.
• The doctor removed my cast today.
• She wore a cast for six weeks after breaking her wrist.

How to use it: in a cast (Her wrist is in a cast.)

Similar words: plaster cast

Common phrases: plaster cast, arm in a cast, remove a cast