Wiffle
Noun: 1. A trademark for a lightweight, hollow plastic ball with perforations or cutouts: A "wiffle" is a specific type of ball designed for safe, easy-to-control indoor or backyard play. Its unique design, featuring oblong cutouts, allows it to curve and move erratically when thrown, making it popular for informal baseball-like games.
The word "wiffle" is almost exclusively used to refer to the trademarked Wiffle Ball and the games played with it. It functions as a proper noun but is commonly used in a generic sense. - It is typically used with "ball" (Wiffle ball) or in the context of the game (play Wiffle). - It is often capitalized ("Wiffle") when referring specifically to the trademarked product, but common usage frequently sees it in lowercase ("wiffle ball").
- As a noun (with 'ball'):
- We bought a new wiffle and bat for the kids.
- The backyard game was played with a yellow Wiffle ball.
- In the context of the game:
- Do you want to play wiffle after school?
- He practiced his pitching with a wiffle ball.
- "Wiffle ball" as a sport: The term can refer to the informal sport itself, with simplified rules adapted from baseball or softball.
- The company picnic featured a wiffle ball tournament.
- Wiffle Ball (n): The full, trademarked name for the ball and the associated game.
- Wiffle bat (n): The lightweight, usually plastic, bat designed to be used with a Wiffle ball.
- Perforated plastic ball: A descriptive, non-trademark term.
- Practice ball: A general term, though not specific to the Wiffle ball's design.
- Play wiffle ball: The standard phrase for engaging in the game.
- The neighborhood kids gathered in the cul-de-sac to play wiffle ball.
- (trademark) a hollow plastic ball with cutouts