bowl over

verb

bowled over; bowling over; bowls over

transitive verb

1

: to take unawares

2

: impress entry 1 sense 1

Synonyms of bowl over

• surprise
• amaze
• stun
• shock
• startle
• take aback
• take by surprise
• astonish

Examples of bowl over in a Sentence

she was bowled over to learn that she had a long-lost sister

Recent Examples on the Web

In a bowl over simmering water (aka double boiler), melt butter, chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026

The mixture is cooked in a double boiler (or in a stainless-steel bowl over a pot of simmering water) until thick, creating a custard-like consistency. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026

Place a medium heatproof bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on Thursday on behalf of Abby Grizzell, of Lee’s Summit, who attorneys said was bowled over and trampled by a group of youths on June 6. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bowl over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover

Kids Definition

bowl over

verb

1

: to hit and knock down while quickly moving past

2

: to greatly surprise or impress