Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rough estimate or acceptable range: A figurative meaning referring to an approximate number, amount, or area that is considered to be close or reasonable, not exact.
   • A sports stadium: A facility, typically one with open stands, where ball games (especially baseball) are played.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Estimate/Range):

  • Can you give me a ballpark figure for how much the repairs will cost?
  • Her guess was in the right ballpark, but the actual number was slightly higher.
  • We're not looking for an exact quote, just a ballpark estimate.

• Noun (Stadium):

  • We spent the afternoon at the ballpark watching the game.
  • The new ballpark downtown can seat over 40,000 fans.
  • The smell of hot dogs is classic ballpark cuisine.

Advanced Usage

• "In the ballpark": Being within a reasonable or acceptable range; approximately correct.
  • Your initial proposal is in the ballpark, but we need to refine the details.
• "Ballpark figure/estimate/number": A very common collocation emphasizing a rough, approximate calculation.
  • I don't need the final cost, just give me a ballpark number to work with.

Variants and Related Words

• Ballpark (adjective): Used to describe something as approximate.
  • We agreed on a ballpark price before starting the detailed work.

Synonyms

• For "estimate/range": approximation, rough idea, guesstimate, vicinity, neighborhood.
• For "stadium": arena, field, park, grounds, diamond (specifically for baseball).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "A ballpark estimate": As described above, this is the most frequent idiomatic use.
• "Out of the ballpark" / "Out of the park": Far beyond the expected range or standard; exceptionally good (this idiom originates from baseball, meaning a home run hit so far it leaves the stadium).
  • Her presentation was out of the ballpark; the clients loved it.

Noun

1. near to the scope or range of something
   • his answer wasn't even in the right ballpark
2. a facility in which ball games are played (especially baseball games)
   • take me out to the ballpark