ball

noun

UK /bɔːl/

Word Forms

singular	ball
plural	balls

1
countable a round object used in games and sports
Try to kick the ball into the back of the net.
a tennis/golf ball
Synonyms and related words
Types of bat and ball used in sports and games
ball
baseball
basketball
1. 1a
  a round or nearly round object or shape
  Shape the dough into balls.
  a melon ball
  ball of:
  a ball of wool
  Synonyms and related words
  Rounded and circular shapes
  ball
  balloon
  band
2
uncountable any game that you play with a ball, especially an informal game
We’ll be outside playing ball until dinner.
Synonyms and related words
Other games played with balls
badminton
ball
ball game
1. 2a
  countable an occasion when someone kicks, hits, or throws the ball in a game, or the way they kick, hit, or throw it
  He kicked a long ball upfield.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
3
countable a formal social event at which there is dancing and usually a meal
the college’s summer ball
Synonyms and related words
Dance parties
ball
barn dance
ceilidh
4
countable the part of your foot, hand, or thumb that is slightly round and sticks out
ball of:
He balanced on the balls of his feet.
Synonyms and related words
General words for limbs and appendages
ankle
appendage
arch
5
the ball is on the slates
the game is up; it’s all over
The ball is on the slates for this brand of democratic expression.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 24/02/2017
Open Dictionary - February2017

phrases

the ball is in someone’s court

a ball of fire

get/set/start the ball rolling

have a ball

have/keep several balls in the air

on the ball

pick up the ball and run with it

play ball

ball

noun

US /bɔl/

Word Forms

singular	ball
plural	balls

1
countable a round object used in games and sports
Try to kick the ball into the back of the net.
a tennis/golf ball
Synonyms and related words
Types of bat and ball used in sports and games
ball
baseball
basketball
1. 1a
  a round or nearly round object or shape
  Shape the mixture into balls.
  a melon ball
  ball of:
  a ball of yarn
  Synonyms and related words
  Rounded and circular shapes
  ball
  balloon
  band
2
uncountable any game that you play with a ball, especially baseball
We’ll be outside playing ball until dinner.
Synonyms and related words
Other games played with balls
badminton
ball
ball game
1. 2a
  countable an occasion when someone kicks, hits, or throws the ball in a game, or the way they kick, hit, or throw it
  He kicked a long ball upfield.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
2. 2b
  countable in baseball, a pitch of the ball that the batter does not try to hit because it passes outside the normal area for hitting
  Synonyms and related words
  Baseball positions, actions and equipment
  at bat
  at bat
  balk
3
countable a formal social event at which there is dancing
Synonyms and related words
Dance parties
ball
barn dance
ceilidh
4
countable the part of your foot, hand, or thumb that is slightly round and sticks out
ball of:
He balanced on the balls of his feet.
Synonyms and related words
General words for limbs and appendages
ankle
appendage
arch
5
the ball is on the slates
the game is up; it’s all over
The ball is on the slates for this brand of democratic expression.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 24/02/2017
Open Dictionary - February2017

phrases

the ball is in someone’s court

a ball of fire

carry the ball

get/set/start the ball rolling

have a lot on the ball

have/keep several balls in the air

on the ball

pick up the ball and run with it

play ball

ball

verb intransitive/transitive

UK /bɔːl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	ball
he/she/it	balls
present participle	balling
past tense	balled
past participle	balled

1

ball
or
ball up
to become a small round shape, or to make something into a small round shape
She balled her fists angrily.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
shape
reshape
form

ball

verb intransitive/transitive

US /bɔl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	ball
he/she/it	balls
present participle	balling
past tense	balled
past participle	balled

1

ball
or
ball up
to become a small round shape, or to make something into a small round shape
She balled her fists angrily.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape
2
Americanoffensiveto have sex with someone
Synonyms and related words
To have sex
sleep with
consummate
copulate

ball ​‌‌‌

the ball is on the slates

ball ​‌‌‌

the ball is on the slates

ball

ball

ball up

ball

ball

ball up

ball

ball