Ball
/bɔ:l/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A spherical or round object used in games and sports: A solid or hollow sphere that is thrown, hit, or kicked in various games.
- A formal social gathering for dancing: A large, formal party where dancing is the main activity.
- A spherical body or mass: Any more or less rounded anatomical part, mass, or object.
- A solid projectile: A non-explosive projectile for an old-fashioned firearm, such as a musket.
- A testicle: (Vulgar slang) One of the two male reproductive glands.
Verb:
- To form into a ball: To wind, roll, or gather something into a spherical shape.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The children threw the ball back and forth. (Spherical object for play)
- They attended the winter ball at the grand hotel. (Formal dance)
- He was hit by a ball of mud. (Compact spherical mass)
- The pitcher threw a ball, so the count was 1-0. (Baseball pitch outside the strike zone)
- Soldiers in the 18th century loaded powder and ball into their muskets. (Solid projectile)
Verb:
- She balled the yarn before starting her knitting project.
- The wet snow balled up under the horse's hooves.
Advanced Usage
"The ball is in your court": It is your turn to take action or make a decision.
- I've sent the proposal; now the ball is in their court.
"On the ball": Alert, competent, and efficient.
- The new manager is really on the ball; she noticed the error immediately.
"A ball of fire": Someone who is full of energy and enthusiasm.
- Despite his age, he's still a ball of fire at work.
Variants and Related Words
Ballgame (n): A game played with a ball, especially baseball; also used figuratively to mean a situation or set of circumstances.
- With this new investment, it's a whole new ballgame for the company.
Ballroom (n): A large room for formal dancing.
- The wedding reception was held in the hotel's grand ballroom.
Ballpoint (n): A pen with a tiny ball as its writing point.
- Please sign the form with a black ballpoint pen.
Synonyms
- Sphere: A perfectly round geometrical object.
- Globe: A spherical representation of a planet or a spherical object.
- Orb: A spherical body; a globe.
- Dance: A social gathering for dancing (for the social event meaning).
Related Phrasal Verbs
Ball up (v): (Informal) To confuse, tangle, or mess something up.
- I completely balled up the instructions and assembled it wrong.
Ball over (v): (Rare, often as "bowl over") To astonish or overwhelm.
- The news just balled me over.
Related Idioms
Have a ball: To have a wonderful time; to enjoy oneself greatly.
- We had a ball at the carnival last night.
Play ball: To cooperate; to begin or continue a game.
- The two companies agreed to play ball and form a partnership.
- The umpire yelled, "Play ball!"
Start the ball rolling: To begin an activity or process.
- She started the ball rolling by suggesting a weekly team meeting.
Verb
- form into a ball by winding or rolling
- ball wool
Noun
- a pitch that is not in the strike zone
- he threw nine straight balls before the manager yanked him
- the game of baseball
- a more or less rounded anatomical body or mass
- the ball at the base of the thumb
- he stood on the balls of his feet
- a lavish dance requiring formal attire
- a compact mass
- a ball of mud caught him on the shoulder
- United States comedienne best known as the star of a popular television program (1911-1989)
- a spherical object used as a plaything
- he played with his rubber ball in the bathtub
- one of the two male reproductive glands that produce spermatozoa and secrete androgens
- she kicked him in the balls and got away
- the people assembled at a lavish formal dance
- the ball was already emptying out before the fire alarm sounded
- an object with a spherical shape
- a ball of fire
- a solid projectile that is shot by a musket
- they had to carry a ramrod as well as powder and ball
- round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
- the ball travelled 90 mph on his serve
- the mayor threw out the first ball
- the ball rolled into the corner pocket