Definition

Noun: 1. A ball game played with the hand or a glove against walls: A sport, typically played in the United Kingdom, where players hit a small, hard ball with their gloved hand or bare hand against one or more walls of an enclosed court. The objective is to make the ball rebound in a way that the opponent cannot return it. 2. A specific court game with a front wall and two side walls: A particular variant of wall-based ball games, distinguished by its court layout which includes a front wall and two side walls, but no back wall. The game emphasizes agility, hand-eye coordination, and strategic placement of the ball.

Examples

• The students spent the afternoon playing fives on the school's historic court.
• Fives is less common than squash or racquetball but has a dedicated following.
• He is an excellent fives player, known for his powerful serves.

Advanced Usage

• Eton Fives: A specific variant of the game, traditionally associated with Eton College, played in a three-walled court with a buttress (a protruding step) on the left wall.
• Rugby Fives: Another major variant, played in a four-walled court (including a back wall) and using a slightly different type of ball and glove.
• To have a game of fives: To play a match of fives.
  • They arranged to have a game of fives after lunch.

Variants and Related Words

• Fives court (n): The enclosed playing area for the game of fives.
• Fives player (n): A person who plays the game of fives.

Synonyms

• Handball (in some contexts, though rules and court design differ significantly).
• Wall game (a general term that can encompass fives, squash, racquetball, etc.).

Related Phrases

• To play fives: The standard verb phrase for participating in the game.
  • He learned to play fives during his time at university.

Noun

1. a game resembling handball; played on a court with a front wall and two side walls