Trends of
ball

View usage for:

ball

(bɔːl)

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense balls, present participle balling, past tense, past participle balled

1. countable noun

A ball is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and cricket.

...a golf ball.

...a tennis ball.

Synonyms: sphere, drop, globe, pellet More Synonyms of ball

2. countable noun

A ball is something or an amount of something that has a round shape.

Thomas screwed the letter up into a ball.

They heard a loud explosion and saw a ball of fire go up. [+ of]

3. verb

When you ball something or when it balls, it becomes round.

He picked up the sheets of paper, and balled them tightly in his fists. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]

His hands balled into fists. [VERB adverb/preposition]

I picked up the balled socks. [VERB-ed]

Ball up means the same as ball.

She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet. [VERB noun PARTICLE]

Brian's face balled up like a fist. [VERB PARTICLE]

[Also VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]

4. countable noun

The ball of your foot or the ball of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand.

5. countable noun

A ball is a large formal social event at which people dance.

6. countable noun [usually plural]

A man's balls are his testicles.

[informal, rude]

7. See also balls

See the ball is in sb's court

See get the ball rolling/set the ball rolling

10.

See have a ball

11.

See keep several balls in the air

12.

See on the ball

13.

See to play ball

Phrasal verbs:

See ball up

More Synonyms of ball

ball in British English 1

(bɔːl)

noun

a spherical or nearly spherical body or mass

a ball of wool

a round or roundish body, either solid or hollow, of a size and composition suitable for any of various games: football, golf, billiards, etc

a ball propelled in a particular way in a sport

a high ball

any of various rudimentary games with a ball

to play ball

5. cricket

a single delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batsman

6. baseball

a single delivery of the ball by a pitcher outside certain limits and not swung at by the batter

a solid nonexplosive projectile for a firearm

Compare shell (sense 6)

such projectiles collectively

any more or less rounded part or protuberance

the ball of the foot

9. vulgar, slang

a testicle

balls

10. veterinary science another word for bolus

11. horticulture

the hard mass of roots and earth removed with the rest of the plant during transplanting

12. ball of muscle

13. have the ball at one's feet

14. keep the ball rolling

15. on the ball

16. play ball

17. set the ball rolling

18. the ball is in your court

verb

19. (transitive)

to make, form, wind, etc, into a ball or balls

to ball wool

20. (intransitive)

to gather into a ball or balls

21. vulgar, slang, mainly US

to copulate (with)

▶ USAGE Sense 9 of this word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as suchin older editions of Collins English Dictionary. However, it has become acceptable in speech, although more conservative people mayobject to its use

Word origin

C13: from Old Norse böllr; related to Old High German balla, Italian palla French balle

ball in British English 2

(bɔːl)

noun

a social function for dancing, esp one that is lavish or formal

2. informal

a very enjoyable time (esp in the phrase have a ball)

Word origin

C17: from French bal (n), from Old French baller (vb), from Late Latin ballāre to dance, from Greek ballizein

Ball in British English

(bɔːl)

noun

John. died 1381, English priest: executed as one of the leaders of the Peasants' Revolt (1381)

Ball in American English

(bɔl)

Johndied 1381; Eng. priest: executed as an instigator of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381

ball in American English 1

(bɔl)

noun

any round, or spherical, object; sphere; globe

a planet or star, esp. the earth

a round or egg-shaped object used in various games

any of several such games, esp. baseball

a throw or pitch of a ball

a solid missile or projectile for a cannon or firearm

such projectiles for firearms, collectively

a rounded part of the body

the ball of the foot

7. Slang

a. Vulgar

a testicle

usually used in pl.

b. [pl.]

daring or courage

8. US, Baseball

a pitch that is wide of the plate or goes above the armpit (or shoulder in slow-pitch softball) or below the knee of the batter, who does not swing at it: four balls allow the batter to go to first base

9. Horticulture

the roots of a plant, bound and packed for shipping

verb intransitive, verb transitive

10.

to form into a ball

11. Slang, Vulgar

to have sexual intercourse (with)

Idioms:

ball up

be on the ball

carry the ball

get (or keep) the ball rolling

have something on the ball

play ball

Word origin

ME bal < OE *beallu < IE base *bhel-, to swell > bowl1, bladder, ON bǫllr, OHG balla, Gr phallos, L follis & flare

ball in American English 2

(bɔl)

noun

a formal social dance

2. Slang

an enjoyable time, event, or experience

Word origin

Fr bal < OFr baller, to dance < LL ballare < Gr ballein, to throw (with sense of ballizein, to dance, jump about) < IE base *gwel-, to drip, spring forth, throw > Ger quelle, a spring

-ball in American English

(bɔl)

Slang

a person characterized, usually figuratively, by (a specified negative quality)

often used attributively

a slimeball gambler

More idioms containing
ball

take your eye off the ball

keep your eye on the ball

throw someone a curve ball

the whole ball of wax

take the ball and run with it

set the ball rolling

play ball

a new ball game

have a ball

drop the ball

a crystal ball

be on the ball

behind the eight ball

the ball is in someone's court

a ball and chain

COBUILD Collocations
ball

bowling ball

charity ball

chase the ball

disco ball

glitter ball

ping-pong ball

Image of
ball

Word lists with
ball

Types of entertainment, rugby

In other languages
ball

British English: ball /bɔːl/ NOUN

for playing with A ball is a round object used in games such as football.

...a golf ball.

American English: ball toy
Arabic: كُرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: bola
Chinese: 球
Croatian: lopta
Czech: míč
Danish: bold
Dutch: bal speelgoed
European Spanish: pelota
Finnish: pallo
French: balle jeu
German: Ball Spielzeug
Greek: μπάλα
Italian: palla
Japanese: ボール toy
Korean: 공 라운드 게임
Norwegian: ball
Polish: piłka
European Portuguese: bola
Romanian: minge
Russian: мяч
Latin American Spanish: pelota
Swedish: boll
Thai: ลูกบอล
Turkish: top
Ukrainian: м'яч
Vietnamese: quả bóng

British English: ball /bɔːl/ NOUN

dance A ball is a large formal dance.

We go to a New Year's ball every year.

American English: ball dance
Arabic: حَفْلَةٌ راقِصَة
Brazilian Portuguese: baile
Chinese: 舞会
Croatian: bal
Czech: ples
Danish: bal
Dutch: bal danspartij
European Spanish: baile evento
Finnish: tanssiaiset
French: bal
German: Ball Tanz
Greek: χορός
Italian: ballo
Japanese: 舞踏会 dance
Korean: 무도회
Norwegian: ball dans
Polish: bal
European Portuguese: baile
Romanian: bal
Russian: бал
Latin American Spanish: baile
Swedish: bal dans
Thai: งานบอล
Turkish: balo
Ukrainian: бал
Vietnamese: buổi khiêu vũ

Chinese translation of 'ball'

ball

(bɔːl)

n (c)

(= football, golf ball etc) 球 (qiú) (个(個), gè)
[of wool, string] 团(團) (tuán) (个(個), gè)
(= sphere) 球状(狀) (qiúzhuàng) (个(個), gè)
(= dance) 舞会(會) (wǔhuì) (个(個), gè)
[of foot, thumb] 弯(彎)腰靠近 (qiúxíng bùfen)

vt

[paper, cloth] (also ball up) 把 ... 抟(摶)成团(團) (bǎ ... tuánchéng tuán)
to start or get or set the ball rolling 开(開)始 (kāishǐ)
to play ball (with sb) (inf, fig) (与(與)某人)协(協)作 ((yǔ mǒurén) xiézuò)
to be on the ball 敏锐(銳) (mǐnruì)
the ball is in your court 轮(輪)到你了 (lún dào nǐ le)
to have a ball (inf) 过(過)得愉快 (guò de yúkuài)

All related terms of 'ball'

1 (noun) in the sense of sphere

Definition

a spherical or nearly spherical mass

a golf ballHe screwed the letter up into a ball.

Synonyms

sphere

The cactus will form a large sphere crested with golden thorns.

drop

a drop of blue ink

globe

delicacies from every corner of the globe

pellet

orb

The moon's orb shone high in the sky.

globule

Bone marrow contains fat in the form of small globules.

spheroid

2 (noun) in the sense of projectile

A cannon ball struck the ship.

Synonyms

projectile

an enormous artillery gun used to fire a huge projectile

shot

These guns are lighter and take more shot for their size.

missile

nuclear missiles

bullet

There are three bullet holes in the windscreen.

ammunition

He had only seven rounds of ammunition for the revolver.

slug

pellet

He was taken to hospital for treatment to pellet wounds.

grapeshot

(noun) in the sense of dance

Definition

a lavish or formal social function for dancing

You're going to a ball dressed like that?

Synonyms

dance

She often went to dances and parties in the village.

social

hop (informal)

disco

The youth club holds a disco every Friday night.

knees-up (British, informal)

discotheque

dancing party

B and S (Australian, informal)

Additional synonyms

in the sense of ammunition

Definition

bullets, bombs, and shells that can be fired from or as a weapon

He had only seven rounds of ammunition for the revolver.

Synonyms

munitions,

rounds,

shot,

shells,

powder,

explosives,

cartridges,

armaments,

materiel,

shot and shell

in the sense of bullet

Definition

a small metallic missile used as the projectile of a gun or rifle

There are three bullet holes in the windscreen.

Synonyms

projectile,

ball,

shot,

missile,

slug,

pellet

in the sense of disco

Definition

an occasion at which people dance to amplified pop records

The youth club holds a disco every Friday night.

Synonyms

dance,

ball,

hop (informal),

knees-up (British, informal),

discotheque,

dancing party,

B and S (Australian, informal)

Synonyms of 'ball'

ball

Explore 'ball' in the dictionary

单词	ball
释义	Trends of ball View usage for: ball (bɔːl) Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense balls, present participle balling, past tense, past participle balled 1. countable noun A ball is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and cricket. ...a golf ball. ...a tennis ball. Synonyms: sphere, drop, globe, pellet More Synonyms of ball 2. countable noun A ball is something or an amount of something that has a round shape. Thomas screwed the letter up into a ball. They heard a loud explosion and saw a ball of fire go up. [+ of] 3. verb When you ball something or when it balls, it becomes round. He picked up the sheets of paper, and balled them tightly in his fists. [VERB noun adverb/preposition] His hands balled into fists. [VERB adverb/preposition] I picked up the balled socks. [VERB-ed] Ball up means the same as ball. She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet. [VERB noun PARTICLE] Brian's face balled up like a fist. [VERB PARTICLE] [Also VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)] 4. countable noun The ball of your foot or the ball of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand. 5. countable noun A ball is a large formal social event at which people dance. 6. countable noun [usually plural] A man's balls are his testicles. [informal, rude] 7. See also balls 8. See the ball is in sb's court 9. See get the ball rolling/set the ball rolling 10. See have a ball 11. See keep several balls in the air 12. See on the ball 13. See to play ball Phrasal verbs: See ball up More Synonyms of ball ball in British English 1 (bɔːl) noun 1. a spherical or nearly spherical body or mass a ball of wool 2. a round or roundish body, either solid or hollow, of a size and composition suitable for any of various games: football, golf, billiards, etc 3. a ball propelled in a particular way in a sport a high ball 4. any of various rudimentary games with a ball to play ball 5. cricket a single delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batsman 6. baseball a single delivery of the ball by a pitcher outside certain limits and not swung at by the batter 7. a. a solid nonexplosive projectile for a firearm Compare shell (sense 6) b. such projectiles collectively 8. any more or less rounded part or protuberance the ball of the foot 9. vulgar, slang a testicle balls 10. veterinary science another word for bolus 11. horticulture the hard mass of roots and earth removed with the rest of the plant during transplanting 12. ball of muscle 13. have the ball at one's feet 14. keep the ball rolling 15. on the ball 16. play ball 17. set the ball rolling 18. the ball is in your court verb 19. (transitive) to make, form, wind, etc, into a ball or balls to ball wool 20. (intransitive) to gather into a ball or balls 21. vulgar, slang, mainly US to copulate (with) ▶ USAGE Sense 9 of this word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as suchin older editions of Collins English Dictionary. However, it has become acceptable in speech, although more conservative people mayobject to its use Word origin C13: from Old Norse böllr; related to Old High German balla, Italian palla French balle ball in British English 2 (bɔːl) noun 1. a social function for dancing, esp one that is lavish or formal 2. informal a very enjoyable time (esp in the phrase have a ball) Word origin C17: from French bal (n), from Old French baller (vb), from Late Latin ballāre to dance, from Greek ballizein Ball in British English (bɔːl) noun John. died 1381, English priest: executed as one of the leaders of the Peasants' Revolt (1381) Ball in American English (bɔl) Johndied 1381; Eng. priest: executed as an instigator of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 ball in American English 1 (bɔl) noun 1. any round, or spherical, object; sphere; globe 2. a planet or star, esp. the earth 3. a. a round or egg-shaped object used in various games b. any of several such games, esp. baseball 4. a throw or pitch of a ball 5. a. a solid missile or projectile for a cannon or firearm b. such projectiles for firearms, collectively 6. a rounded part of the body the ball of the foot 7. Slang a. Vulgar a testicle usually used in pl. b. [pl.] daring or courage 8. US, Baseball a pitch that is wide of the plate or goes above the armpit (or shoulder in slow-pitch softball) or below the knee of the batter, who does not swing at it: four balls allow the batter to go to first base 9. Horticulture the roots of a plant, bound and packed for shipping verb intransitive, verb transitive 10. to form into a ball 11. Slang, Vulgar to have sexual intercourse (with) Idioms: ball up be on the ball carry the ball get (or keep) the ball rolling have something on the ball play ball Word origin ME bal < OE beallu < IE base bhel-, to swell > bowl1, bladder, ON bǫllr, OHG balla, Gr phallos, L follis & flare ball in American English 2 (bɔl) noun 1. a formal social dance 2. Slang an enjoyable time, event, or experience Word origin Fr bal < OFr baller, to dance < LL ballare < Gr ballein, to throw (with sense of ballizein, to dance, jump about) < IE base gwel-, to drip, spring forth, throw > Ger quelle, a spring -ball in American English (bɔl) Slang a person characterized, usually figuratively, by (a specified negative quality) often used attributively a slimeball gambler More idioms containing ball take your eye off the ball keep your eye on the ball throw someone a curve ball the whole ball of wax take the ball and run with it set the ball rolling play ball a new ball game have a ball drop the ball a crystal ball be on the ball behind the eight ball the ball is in someone's court a ball and chain COBUILD Collocations ball bowling ball charity ball chase the ball disco ball glitter ball ping-pong ball Image of ball © Africa Studio, shutterstock Word lists with ball Types of entertainment, rugby In other languages ball British English: ball /bɔːl/ NOUN for playing with* A ball is a round object used in games such as football. ...a golf ball. American English: ball toy Arabic: كُرَة Brazilian Portuguese: bola Chinese: 球 Croatian: lopta Czech: míč Danish: bold Dutch: bal speelgoed European Spanish: pelota Finnish: pallo French: balle jeu German: Ball Spielzeug Greek: μπάλα Italian: palla Japanese: ボール toy Korean: 공 라운드 게임 Norwegian: ball Polish: piłka European Portuguese: bola Romanian: minge Russian: мяч Latin American Spanish: pelota Swedish: boll Thai: ลูกบอล Turkish: top Ukrainian: м'яч Vietnamese: quả bóng British English: ball /bɔːl/ NOUN dance A ball is a large formal dance. We go to a New Year's ball every year. American English: ball dance Arabic: حَفْلَةٌ راقِصَة Brazilian Portuguese: baile Chinese: 舞会 Croatian: bal Czech: ples Danish: bal Dutch: bal danspartij European Spanish: baile evento Finnish: tanssiaiset French: bal German: Ball Tanz Greek: χορός Italian: ballo Japanese: 舞踏会 dance Korean: 무도회 Norwegian: ball dans Polish: bal European Portuguese: baile Romanian: bal Russian: бал Latin American Spanish: baile Swedish: bal dans Thai: งานบอล Turkish: balo Ukrainian: бал Vietnamese: buổi khiêu vũ Chinese translation of 'ball' ball (bɔːl) n (c) (= football, golf ball etc) 球 (qiú) (个(個), gè) [of wool, string] 团(團) (tuán) (个(個), gè) (= sphere) 球状(狀) (qiúzhuàng) (个(個), gè) (= dance) 舞会(會) (wǔhuì) (个(個), gè) [of foot, thumb] 弯(彎)腰靠近 (qiúxíng bùfen) vt [paper, cloth] (also ball up) 把 ... 抟(摶)成团(團) (bǎ ... tuánchéng tuán) to start or get or set the ball rolling 开(開)始 (kāishǐ) to play ball (with sb) (inf, fig) (与(與)某人)协(協)作 ((yǔ mǒurén) xiézuò) to be on the ball 敏锐(銳) (mǐnruì) the ball is in your court 轮(輪)到你了 (lún dào nǐ le) to have a ball (inf) 过(過)得愉快 (guò de yúkuài) All related terms of 'ball' golf ball 高尔(爾)夫球 gāo'ěrfūqiú [ 个(個) gè ] tennis ball 网(網)球 wǎngqiú [ 个(個) gè ] the ball was out 球出界了 qiú chūjiè le to have a ball ( inf ) 过(過)得愉快 guò de yúkuài to be on the ball 敏锐(銳) mǐnruì to pass sb the ball 把球传(傳)给(給)某人 bǎ qiú chuángěi mǒurén the ball is in your court 轮(輪)到你了 lún dào nǐ le to start or get or set the ball rolling 开(開)始 kāishǐ to nod the ball into the net/over the line ( Brit : inf ) 把球顶(頂)入网(網)/顶(頂)过(過)线(線) bǎ qiú dǐngrù wǎng/dǐngguò xiàn to play ball (with sb) ( inf : fig ) (与(與)某人)协(協)作 (yǔ mǒurén) xiézuò 1 (noun) in the sense of sphere Definition a spherical or nearly spherical mass a golf ballHe screwed the letter up into a ball. Synonyms sphere The cactus will form a large sphere crested with golden thorns. drop a drop of blue ink globe delicacies from every corner of the globe pellet orb The moon's orb shone high in the sky. globule Bone marrow contains fat in the form of small globules. spheroid 2 (noun) in the sense of projectile A cannon ball struck the ship. Synonyms projectile an enormous artillery gun used to fire a huge projectile shot These guns are lighter and take more shot for their size. missile nuclear missiles bullet There are three bullet holes in the windscreen. ammunition He had only seven rounds of ammunition for the revolver. slug pellet He was taken to hospital for treatment to pellet wounds. grapeshot (noun) in the sense of dance Definition a lavish or formal social function for dancing You're going to a ball dressed like that? Synonyms dance She often went to dances and parties in the village. social hop (informal) disco The youth club holds a disco every Friday night. knees-up (British, informal) discotheque dancing party B and S (Australian, informal) Additional synonyms in the sense of ammunition Definition bullets, bombs, and shells that can be fired from or as a weapon He had only seven rounds of ammunition for the revolver. Synonyms munitions, rounds, shot, shells, powder, explosives, cartridges, armaments, materiel, shot and shell in the sense of bullet Definition a small metallic missile used as the projectile of a gun or rifle There are three bullet holes in the windscreen. Synonyms projectile, ball, shot, missile, slug, pellet in the sense of disco Definition an occasion at which people dance to amplified pop records The youth club holds a disco every Friday night. Synonyms dance, ball, hop (informal), knees-up (British, informal), discotheque, dancing party, B and S (Australian, informal) Synonyms of 'ball' ball Explore 'ball' in the dictionary
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Trends ofball

ball

ball in British English 1

ball in British English 2

Ball in British English

Ball in American English

ball in American English 1

ball in American English 2

-ball in American English

More idioms containingball

COBUILD Collocationsball

Image ofball

Word lists withball

In other languagesball

Chinese translation of 'ball'

ball

n (c)

vt

All related terms of 'ball'

Additional synonyms

Synonyms of 'ball'

ball

Trends of
ball

More idioms containing
ball

COBUILD Collocations
ball

Image of
ball

Word lists with
ball

In other languages
ball