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ball

US //ˈbɔɫ// UK //bˈɔːl// ball
  1. 1 sports/games (n.)
    A1 Beginner Sport

    a round object that you kick, throw, or hit in a game.

    a spherical or ovoid object used as the central focus of various sports and games.

    Example

    The children were kicking a ball around the park all afternoon.

    Example

    The striker controlled the ball with his chest before volleying it into the top corner of the net.
  2. 2 round mass (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a solid or hollow round shape made of any material.

    a spherical or roughly spherical mass of any substance.

    Example

    She rolled the wool into a tight ball before she started knitting.

    Example

    The sculptor formed a small ball of clay to represent the head of the figure.
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  1. 3 formal dance (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal

    a large, formal party where people dance.

    a large formal social gathering featuring ballroom dancing.

    Example

    She wore a beautiful long dress to the charity ball.

    Example

    The annual winter ball was the highlight of the social calendar, attracting dignitaries from across the country.
  2. 4 enjoyable time (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a very fun or exciting experience.

    an exceptionally enjoyable experience; typically used in the phrase 'to have a ball'.

    Example

    We had a ball at the theme park yesterday.

    Example

    Despite the rainy weather, the guests had a ball at the wedding reception.
  3. 5 body part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Anatomy

    the rounded part of your foot or hand.

    the rounded, protuberant part of the human body, specifically the area under the toes or the base of the thumb.

    Example

    You should stand on the balls of your feet when you dance.

    Example

    The athlete suffered a strain in the ball of her foot after repetitive jumping drills.

  4. 6 testicles (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar Anatomy

    a slang word for a man's testicles.

    a vulgar slang term for the testicles.

    Example

    He got hit in the balls by the flying frisbee.

    Example

    The comedian's routine relied heavily on crude jokes about his balls, which divided the audience.
  5. 7 to form a shape (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something into the shape of a ball.

    to form or wind a substance into a spherical shape.

    Example

    He balled up the piece of paper and threw it in the bin.

    Example

    The damp snow began to ball under the skis, making the descent increasingly difficult.
  6. 8 to live wealthily (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    to live a rich and flashy lifestyle.

    to live an extravagant lifestyle or spend money ostentatiously.

    Example

    He's been balling ever since he signed that big contract.

    Example

    The rapper's lyrics often describe balling in expensive clubs and driving luxury vehicles.
  7. 9 to play basketball (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Slang American English Sport

    to play a game of basketball.

    to play basketball, especially in an informal or street setting.

    Example

    We're going to the park to ball for a few hours.

    Example

    He spent his entire youth balling on the local courts, hoping for a college scholarship.
Origin

Multiple theories and origins. * From a short form of the Middle English given name Baldwin. * A toponymic surname for a person that lives near a knoll or rounded hill (i.e. somewhere shaped like a ball). * From the Old Norse given name Balle. * A habitational surname for a person from Ball, Cornwall, from Cornish Pelen.

Idioms20 entries

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