# ballgame

/bɔɫˈɡeɪm/ (US) · /bˈɔːlɡeɪm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ballgame
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a game played with a ball, like baseball or basketball. It can also mean a situation or a problem that is very difficult to deal with.

For teachers: a game involving the use of a ball, such as baseball or basketball. In a figurative sense, it refers to a complex situation or a significant problem.

## Examples

- The kids are playing a ballgame in the park.
- The manager said the project was a ballgame because the requirements kept changing every week.
- While the physical ballgame was a close contest, the real challenge for the team was managing the logistical hurdles of playing in a foreign country.

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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.