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.
The theatre company is casting the supporting roles this week.
文法句型
cast + actor + as + role
cast + actor + in + role
be + cast as + role
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- absorb
opposite action; a surface that absorbs light does not cast it
文法句型
cast + [light/shadow] + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- 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'
文法句型
cast + light + on + [topic]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
Layla cast a longing glance at the dessert counter but ordered tea instead.
文法句型
cast + [a look/glance/smile] + at/toward/around + [person/place]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
❌ '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.
文法句型
cast + an eye + over + [document]
cast + a glance + at/over + [thing]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cast + [content] + to + [device]
cast + to + [device]
用法筆記
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.'
常見錯誤
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.
- catch
to receive and hold something that has been thrown
文法句型
cast + noun + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
More formal and literary than throw. The direction must be stated using a preposition such as into, at, across, or toward.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cast + noun (line / net)
cast for + fish type
用法筆記
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.
Mathieu's strange behaviour cast doubt on his version of events.
- confirm
to show that something is definitely true or correct
文法句型
cast doubt on + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- forget
to no longer be able to remember something
文法句型
cast your mind back to + time
cast back to + event
用法筆記
Commonly used in the fixed phrases cast your mind back (to) or cast back to. The object is typically mind, thoughts, or memory.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cast your vote for + person/party
cast a ballot
用法筆記
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.
Jin cast the molten metal into the mold and waited for it to cool.
文法句型
cast + noun (material)
cast + noun (object) from + material
cast in + material
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cast + object (a spell, a curse, a charm, magic)
cast + object + on/over + someone
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- retain
to keep or hold on to something rather than losing it
文法句型
cast + possessive determiner + skin
用法筆記
Only used for reptiles and similar animals (snakes, lizards, geckos). For mammals shedding fur or birds shedding feathers, use 'shed' or 'molt' instead.
常見錯誤
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.
An all-star cast was chosen for the play, which sold out every night.
文法句型
cast + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
When the cast is considered as one unit, use a singular verb; when the individual members are emphasised, use a plural verb.
常見錯誤
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.
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.
- moulding
a shaped object produced in a mould, usually made of plastic or plaster rather than metal
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
Shirin's leg cast was covered in colourful stickers from her friends at school.
- plaster
shortened informal form; 'My arm is in plaster' means the same as 'My arm is in a cast'
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- in plaster
British English; 'My leg is in plaster' means the same as 'My leg is in a cast'
文法句型
body part + be + in a cast
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
The teacher used a screen cast from her tablet to show maths problems in class.
A cast of the presentation appeared on the screen at the front of the room.
用法筆記
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'.