# ball

/ˈbɔɫ/ (US) · /bˈɔːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ball
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sports/games

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- The children were kicking a ball around the park all afternoon.
- The striker controlled the ball with his chest before volleying it into the top corner of the net.

### 2. round mass

noun · CEFR A2

a solid or hollow round shape made of any material.

For teachers: a spherical or roughly spherical mass of any substance.

- She rolled the wool into a tight ball before she started knitting.
- The sculptor formed a small ball of clay to represent the head of the figure.

### 3. formal dance

noun · CEFR B1 · Formal

a large, formal party where people dance.

For teachers: a large formal social gathering featuring ballroom dancing.

- She wore a beautiful long dress to the charity ball.
- The annual winter ball was the highlight of the social calendar, attracting dignitaries from across the country.

### 4. enjoyable time

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a very fun or exciting experience.

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

- We had a ball at the theme park yesterday.
- Despite the rainy weather, the guests had a ball at the wedding reception.

### 5. body part

noun · CEFR B2

the rounded part of your foot or hand.

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

- You should stand on the balls of your feet when you dance.
- The athlete suffered a strain in the ball of her foot after repetitive jumping drills.

### 6. testicles

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

a slang word for a man's testicles.

For teachers: a vulgar slang term for the testicles.

- He got hit in the balls by the flying frisbee.
- The comedian's routine relied heavily on crude jokes about his balls, which divided the audience.

### 7. to form a shape

verb · CEFR B2

to make something into the shape of a ball.

For teachers: to form or wind a substance into a spherical shape.

- He balled up the piece of paper and threw it in the bin.
- The damp snow began to ball under the skis, making the descent increasingly difficult.

### 8. to live wealthily

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English

to live a rich and flashy lifestyle.

For teachers: to live an extravagant lifestyle or spend money ostentatiously.

- He's been balling ever since he signed that big contract.
- The rapper's lyrics often describe balling in expensive clubs and driving luxury vehicles.

### 9. to play basketball

verb · CEFR B2 · Slang · American English

to play a game of basketball.

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

- We're going to the park to ball for a few hours.
- He spent his entire youth balling on the local courts, hoping for a college scholarship.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.