Definition

Noun: 1. A spherical piece of chewing gum, typically coated with a hard, colored sugar shell.

Usage

The term "gum ball" refers specifically to the individual, spherical piece of candy. It is a countable noun. * I put a quarter in the machine and got a red gum ball. * The jar on the counter was filled with colorful gum balls.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often associated with the large, glass-domed vending machines (gum ball machines) commonly found in stores.
  • The children gathered around the gum ball machine, trying to decide which color to choose.

Variants and Related Words

• Gum ball machine (noun phrase): A vending machine that dispenses gum balls, typically after inserting a coin.
• Bubble gum ball (noun phrase): A gum ball specifically made from bubble gum, allowing the chewer to blow bubbles.

Synonyms

• Jawbreaker (Note: A "jawbreaker" is a similar spherical candy but is typically a hard candy, not chewing gum.)
• Chewing gum ball

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is the candy itself. It is distinct from a simple piece or stick of chewing gum due to its spherical shape and hard sugar coating.
• The term should not be confused with "gumball" as a single word when used as a modifier in compound nouns like "gumball machine." In such cases, it functions as part of the compound name for the object.

Noun

1. a ball of chewing gum with a coating of colored sugar