Blanket vs. Throw — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 21, 2024
Blankets are designed for warmth and are often used on beds, while throws are smaller, decorative, and used for light warmth and style.
Difference Between Blanket and Throw
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Blankets are typically larger and designed to fit various bed sizes, providing warmth and comfort during sleep. Throws, on the other hand, are smaller and often used as a decorative accessory on couches or chairs.
Blankets are made from thicker materials like wool or fleece to retain body heat, whereas throws may be crafted from lighter materials like cotton or acrylic, suitable for slight chills.
The primary function of blankets is to offer warmth in bed during colder nights. Throws, however, are more versatile and can be used for warmth or as an aesthetic enhancement to a living space.
Blankets often come in plain and subtle designs to match bedroom decor. In contrast, throws frequently feature bold patterns and colors, enhancing their appeal as decorative pieces.
Care and maintenance for blankets generally involve regular washing suited to heavy materials, while throws can often be spot cleaned or require less frequent laundering due to their decorative nature and lighter use.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger, fits twin to king-sized beds
Smaller, does not typically fit beds
Material
Thicker materials like wool, fleece
Lighter materials like cotton, acrylic
Primary Use
Warmth in bed
Decorative, light warmth
Design
Subtle, matches bedroom decor
Bold patterns, vibrant colors
Maintenance
Regular washing, suited for heavy use
Spot cleaning, less frequent laundering
Compare with Definitions
Blanket
A covering that serves to keep sleepers warm, especially during the night.
We bought a new blanket for the winter season.
Throw
A small blanket or coverlet, often decorative, used for additional warmth or styling at home.
She draped a colorful throw over the back of the sofa.
Blanket
A large piece of soft cloth used as a covering for warmth, especially on a bed.
She tucked the thick blanket around her as the night grew colder.
Throw
An accessory for furniture or outdoor use, often used for light warmth and aesthetic purposes.
They used a striped throw during their picnic in the park.
Blanket
A thick bed covering made of wool or other materials designed to trap heat.
Their camping gear included a heavy woolen blanket for chilly nights.
Throw
A piece of fabric designed to add color or style to a room, usually lighter than a blanket.
The throw on the armchair matched the room’s blue decor.
Blanket
An insulative layer that traps heat and provides comfort.
He added an extra blanket to his bed to stay warm through the night.
Throw
A versatile, decorative fabric thrown over a couch, chair, or bed.
The knitted throw was a perfect match for the cozy reading nook.
Blanket
A piece of fabric used for warmth while sleeping or resting.
The baby’s crib was adorned with a soft, pink blanket.
Throw
A light covering that can be used in various ways around the home.
The lightweight throw was ideal for chilly summer evenings on the porch.
Blanket
A blanket is a piece of soft cloth large enough either to cover or to enfold a great portion of the user's body. It is usually used when a person goes to sleep or is otherwise at rest.
Throw
To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm.
Blanket
A large piece of woven material used as a covering for warmth, especially on a bed.
Throw
To propel or discharge into the air by any means
A machine that throws tennis balls.
Ash that was thrown by an erupting volcano.
Blanket
A layer that covers or encloses
A thick blanket of snow.
Throw
To cause to move with great force or speed; propel or displace
Threw themselves on the food.
Jetsam that had been thrown up onto the shore.
Blanket
Applying to or covering all conditions or instances
A blanket insurance policy.
Throw
To force (an opponent) to the ground or floor, as in wrestling or the martial arts.
Blanket
Applying to or covering all members of a class
Blanket sanctions against human-rights violators.
Throw
To cause to fall off
The horse threw its rider.
Blanket
To cover with or as if with a blanket
Leaves that blanket the ground.
Throw
(Informal) To cause confusion or perplexity in; disconcert or nonplus
We didn't let our worries throw us.
Blanket
To cover so as to inhibit, suppress, or extinguish
Blanketed the grease fire with sand.
Throw
To put on or off hastily or carelessly
Throw on a jacket.
Blanket
To apply to generally and uniformly without exception
High telephone service charges that blanketed our region.
Throw
To put suddenly or forcefully into a given condition, position, or activity
Threw him into a fit of laughter.
Threw some supper together.
Threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
Blanket
A heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually large and woollen, used for warmth while sleeping or resting.
The baby was cold, so his mother put a blanket over him.
Throw
To devote, apply, or direct
Threw all their resources into the new endeavor.
Threw the blame onto the others.
Blanket
A layer of anything.
The city woke under a thick blanket of fog.
Throw
To form on a potter's wheel
Throw a vase.
Blanket
A thick rubber mat used in the offset printing process to transfer ink from the plate to the paper being printed.
A press operator must carefully wash the blanket whenever changing a plate.
Throw
To twist (fibers) into thread.
Blanket
A streak or layer of blubber in whales.
Throw
To roll (dice).
Blanket
General; covering or encompassing everything.
Throw
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
Blanket
(transitive) To cover with, or as if with, a blanket.
A fresh layer of snow blanketed the area.
Throw
To discard or play (a card).
Blanket
(transitive) To traverse or complete thoroughly.
The salesman blanketed the entire neighborhood.
Throw
To send forth; project
She threw me a look of encouragement.
Blanket
(transitive) To toss in a blanket by way of punishment.
Throw
To cause (one's voice) to seem to come from a source other than oneself.
Blanket
(transitive) To take the wind out of the sails of (another vessel) by sailing to windward of it.
Throw
To cause to fall on or over something; cast
The rising sun threw shadows across the lawn. We threw sheets over the furniture before we painted the ceiling.
Blanket
(transitive) To nullify the impact of (someone or something).
Throw
To bear (young). Used of cows or horses, for example.
Blanket
Of a radio signal: to override or block out another radio signal.
Throw
To arrange or give (a party, for example).
Blanket
A heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually of wool, and having a nap, used in bed clothing; also, a similar fabric used as a robe; or any fabric used as a cover for a horse.
Throw
To move (a lever or switch) in order to activate, deactivate, or control a device.
Blanket
A piece of rubber, felt, or woolen cloth, used in the tympan to make it soft and elastic.
Throw
(Informal) To lose or give up (a contest, for example) purposely.
Blanket
A streak or layer of blubber in whales.
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the darkTo cry, "Hold, hold!"
Throw
To abandon oneself to; have
Heard the news and threw a fit.
Blanket
To cover with a blanket.
I'll . . . blanket my loins.
Throw
To commit (oneself), especially for leniency or support
Threw himself on the mercy of the court.
Blanket
To toss in a blanket by way of punishment.
We'll have our men blanket 'em i' the hall.
Throw
To deliver (a punch), as in boxing
Threw a left hook.
Blanket
To take the wind out of the sails of (another vessel) by sailing to windward of her.
Throw
To cast, fling, or hurl something.
Blanket
Bedding that keeps a person warm in bed;
He pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
Throw
The act or an instance of throwing.
Blanket
Anything that covers;
There was a blanket of snow
Throw
The distance to which something is or can be thrown
A stone's throw away.
Blanket
A layer of lead surrounding the highly reactive core of a nuclear reactor
Throw
A roll or cast of dice.
Blanket
Cover as if with a blanket;
Snow blanketed the fields
Throw
The combination of numbers so obtained.
Blanket
Form a blanket-like cover (over)
Throw
(Informal) A single chance, venture, or instance
"could afford up to forty-five bucks a throw to wax sentimental over their heritage" (John Simon).
Blanket
Broad in scope or content;
Across-the-board pay increases
An all-embracing definition
Blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
An invention with broad applications
A panoptic study of Soviet nationality
Granted him wide powers
Throw
(Sports) The act of throwing or a technique used to throw an opponent in wrestling or the martial arts.
Throw
A light blanket or coverlet, such as an afghan.
Throw
A scarf or shawl.
Throw
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
Throw
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
Throw
(Geology) The amount of vertical displacement of a fault.
Throw
(transitive) To hurl; to cause an object to move rapidly through the air.
Throw a shoe; throw a javelin; the horse threw its rider
Throw
(transitive) To eject or cause to fall off.
Throw
(transitive) To move to another position or condition; to displace.
Throw the switch
Throw
(ceramics) To make (a pot) by shaping clay as it turns on a wheel.
Throw
To deliver (the ball) illegally by straightening the bowling arm during delivery.
Throw
To send (an error) to an exception-handling mechanism in order to interrupt normal processing.
If the file is read-only, the method throws an invalid-operation exception.
Throw
To intentionally lose a game.
The tennis player was accused of taking bribes to throw the match.
Throw
To confuse or mislead.
The deliberate red herring threw me at first.
Throw
(figuratively) To send desperately.
Their sergeant threw the troops into pitched battle.
Throw
(transitive) To imprison.
The magistrate ordered the suspect to be thrown into jail.
Throw
To organize an event, especially a party.
Throw
(ambitransitive) To roll (a die or dice).
Throw
(transitive) To cause a certain number on the die or dice to be shown after rolling it.
Throw
To discard.
Throw
(martial arts) To lift the opponent off the ground and bring him back down, especially into a position behind the thrower.
Throw
To change in order to give the illusion that the voice is that of someone else.
Throw
(transitive) To show sudden emotion, especially anger.
Throw
(transitive) To project or send forth.
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly. I don't see, that "spreading" could be any meaning of "putting on". Was it meant to be a second meaning?
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of (silk, etc.) so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Throw
To select (a pitcher); to assign a pitcher to a given role (such as starter or reliever).
Throw
(transitive) To install (a bridge).
Throw
To twist or turn.
A thrown nail
Throw
(American football) pass
Throw
To deliver.
Throw
Of animals: to give birth to (young).
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Throw
The flight of a thrown object.
What a great throw by the quarterback!
Throw
The act of throwing something.
With an accurate throw, he lassoed the cow.
The gambler staked everything on one throw of the dice.
Throw
One's ability to throw.
He's got a girl's throw.
He's always had a pretty decent throw.
Throw
A distance travelled; displacement.
The throw of the piston
Throw
A piece of fabric used to cover a bed, sofa or other soft furnishing.
Throw
A single instance, occurrence, venture, or chance.
Football tickets are expensive at fifty bucks a throw.
Throw
(veterinary medicine) The act of giving birth in animals, especially in cows.
Throw
(obsolete) A moment, time, occasion.
Throw
(obsolete) A period of time; a while.
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Throw
Pain; especially, pain of travail; throe.
Throw
Time; while; space of time; moment; trice.
I will with Thomas speak a little throw.
Throw
The act of hurling or flinging; a driving or propelling from the hand or an engine; a cast.
He heaved a stone, and, rising to the throw,He sent it in a whirlwind at the foe.
Throw
A stroke; a blow.
Nor shield defend the thunder of his throws.
Throw
The distance which a missile is, or may be, thrown; as, a stone's throw.
Throw
A cast of dice; the manner in which dice fall when cast; as, a good throw.
Throw
An effort; a violent sally.
Your youth admiresThe throws and swellings of a Roman soul.
Throw
The extreme movement given to a sliding or vibrating reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, eccentric, or the like; travel; stroke; as, the throw of a slide valve. Also, frequently, the length of the radius of a crank, or the eccentricity of an eccentric; as, the throw of the crank of a steam engine is equal to half the stroke of the piston.
Throw
A potter's wheel or table; a jigger. See 2d Jigger, 2 (a).
Throw
A turner's lathe; a throwe.
Throw
The amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault; - according to the direction it is designated as an upthrow, or a downthrow.
Throw
To fling, cast, or hurl with a certain whirling motion of the arm, to throw a ball; - distinguished from to toss, or to bowl.
Throw
To fling or cast in any manner; to drive to a distance from the hand or from an engine; to propel; to send; as, to throw stones or dust with the hand; a cannon throws a ball; a fire engine throws a stream of water to extinguish flames.
Throw
To drive by violence; as, a vessel or sailors may be thrown upon a rock.
Throw
To cause to take a strategic position; as, he threw a detachment of his army across the river.
Throw
To overturn; to prostrate in wrestling; as, a man throws his antagonist.
Throw
To cast, as dice; to venture at dice.
Set less than thou throwest.
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly.
O'er his fair limbs a flowery vest he threw.
Throw
To divest or strip one's self of; to put off.
There the snake throws her enameled skin.
Throw
To form or shape roughly on a throwing engine, or potter's wheel, as earthen vessels.
Throw
To give forcible utterance to; to cast; to vent.
I have thrownA brave defiance in King Henry's teeth.
Throw
To bring forth; to produce, as young; to bear; - said especially of rabbits.
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of, as silk, so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; - sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Throw
To perform the act of throwing or casting; to cast; specifically, to cast dice.
Throw
The act of throwing (propelling something through the air with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist);
The catcher made a good throw to second base
Throw
A single chance or instance;
He couldn't afford $50 a throw
Throw
The maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
Throw
The distance that something can be thrown;
It is just a stone's throw from here
Throw
Bedclothes consisting of a lightweight cloth covering (an afghan or bedspread) that is casually thrown over something
Throw
The throwing of an object in order to determine an outcome randomly;
He risked his fortune on a throw of the dice
Throw
Project through the air;
Throw a frisbee
Throw
Move violently, energetically, or carelessly;
She threw herself forwards
Throw
Get rid of;
He shed his image as a pushy boss
Shed your clothes
Throw
Place or put with great energy;
She threw the blanket around the child
Thrust the money in the hands of the beggar
Throw
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Throw
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever
Throw
Put or send forth;
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
Cast a spell
Cast a warm light
Throw
To put into a state or activity hastily, suddenly, or carelessly;
Jane threw dinner together
Throw the car into reverse
Throw
Cause to be confused emotionally
Throw
Utter with force; utter vehemently;
Hurl insults
Throw accusations at someone
Throw
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Throw
Make on a potter's wheel;
She threw a beautiful teapot
Throw
Cause to fall off;
The horse threw its unexperienced rider
Throw
Throw (a die) out onto a flat surface;
Throw a six
Throw
Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly;
These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
This question befuddled even the teacher
Common Curiosities
Can throws be used for outdoor activities?
Yes, throws are versatile and can be used for light warmth during outdoor activities.
Do throws come in various materials?
Throws are available in a variety of materials, including cotton, acrylic, and sometimes wool.
What is the difference in warmth between a blanket and a throw?
Blankets provide more warmth due to their materials and size compared to throws.
Is it common to use a throw for decorative purposes?
Yes, throws are commonly used as decorative elements in living spaces.
Can I use a throw on a bed?
While throws can be used on a bed, they are smaller and might not cover it completely.
Are blankets suitable for summer?
Lighter blankets can be suitable for summer, but generally, they are better suited for colder weather.
What is the typical size of a blanket?
Blankets vary in size but are designed to fit bed sizes from twin to king.
Are blankets heavier than throws?
Yes, blankets are generally heavier and made with materials intended to retain more warmth.
How should I care for a heavy blanket?
Heavy blankets often require regular washing with attention to their material needs.
How often should I clean my throw?
Cleaning frequency depends on its usage, to be safe we need to cleaning throw every two weeks.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
