ball
ball — verb
1. to squeeze, roll, or gather a soft material so that it takes on a rounded, close
to squeeze, roll, or gather a soft material so that it takes on a rounded, closed shape, such as crumpling paper or kneading dough.
Kenji balled the dough between his palms before placing it on the tray.
transitive: ball + soft material
Mei angrily balled the letter up and threw it into the bin.
ball something up (phrasal pattern)
The hedgehog balled up tightly when the dog came near.
intransitive: subject curls into a sphere
Nervous, Farouk balled her hands into fists under the desk.
collocation: ball [body part] into fists
The chef balled small portions of melon for the fruit platter.
- ball up the paper
- ball one's hands into fists
- ball the dough
- ball up tightly
Grammar Patterns
ball something up
ball up into something
Usage Note
Object is usually a soft, shapeable material (paper, dough, cloth, hands) or a body part that can curl. Frequently appears with the particle 'up' to stress completion of the round shape.
Common Mistakes
2. a vulgar slang verb, said mostly of a male subject, for having sex with a partne
a vulgar slang verb, said mostly of a male subject, for having sex with a partner.
The lyrics are crude, bragging about who the singer balled the night before.
vulgar slang; avoid in polite or formal speech
After three drinks, Frank leaned over and whispered that he had balled Sandra in the back of the truck.
transitive vulgar slang: ball + person
Editors at the magazine cut the passage where the narrator boasts about balling a co-worker.
In the diner scene, the trucker bragged that he had balled half the waitresses in town.
past tense; bragging context typical of older slang
- ball someone
- screw
also vulgar slang; more current than 'ball'
- sleep with
the standard, neutral phrase
- bed
literary or dated; less crude than 'ball'
Grammar Patterns
ball someone
Usage Note
Vulgar US slang, mostly mid-20th-century. Subject is typically male in older usage. Learners should recognise it for reading older fiction or song lyrics, but not produce it — it offends in almost every modern setting.
Common Mistakes
ball up
phrasal verbto squeeze or curl something into a tight rounded shape, or for a person or animal to pull their body into such a shape.
Esme balled up the receipt and tossed it across the kitchen.
The kitten balled up in Grandma's lap and fell asleep.
ball — noun
1. a round item, often made of rubber, leather, or plastic, that you throw, kick, h
a round item, often made of rubber, leather, or plastic, that you throw, kick, hit, or catch as part of a sport, or that children use as a toy.
Mei kicked the ball straight into the goal during the school match.
verb + the ball: kick / throw / catch
The puppy ran across the garden chasing a small red ball.
Kenji threw the ball over the net, and his sister hit it back hard.
A tennis ball rolled out from under the bench and stopped near my feet.
compound: tennis / golf / beach ball
The children sat on the floor and rolled the ball back and forth.
- kick a ball
- throw a ball
- catch a ball
- bounce a ball
- tennis ball
- beach ball
Grammar Patterns
throw/kick/catch + a ball
Usage Note
Often appears in compounds naming the sport: tennis ball, football, beach ball, golf ball. Verbs that pair with it describe how it moves: kick, throw, catch, hit, bounce, roll.
Common Mistakes
2. a round bundle made by winding string, wool, or yarn around itself many times so
a round bundle made by winding string, wool, or yarn around itself many times so it can be stored neatly or used in knitting.
Grandma kept three balls of red wool inside her wooden sewing basket.
pattern: a ball of wool / yarn / string
The kitten batted a ball of yarn across the kitchen floor.
Sofia needs two more balls of cotton thread to finish the blue scarf.
Mei cut a long piece of string and rolled it into a tight ball.
- a ball of wool
- a ball of yarn
- a ball of string
- roll into a ball
Grammar Patterns
a ball of + uncountable noun
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the pattern 'a ball of + [thread / wool / yarn / string]'. The substance is uncountable, so 'ball' supplies the unit for counting.
Common Mistakes
3. the firm, slightly raised cushion just below your big toe; also a similar cushio
the firm, slightly raised cushion just below your big toe; also a similar cushion at the root of your thumb on the palm side. On the foot, this is the part that hits the ground first as you walk.
Dancers learn to balance on the ball of one foot for several seconds.
fixed phrase: the ball of your foot
Esme felt a sharp pain in the ball of her right foot after the long hike.
The runner pushes off from the ball of the foot, not the heel.
Press gently on the ball of your thumb to feel the soft muscle there.
- ball of the foot
- ball of the thumb
- balance on the ball of your foot
- pad
broader; can refer to any soft area of skin on the hand or foot
- heel
the back part of the foot rather than the front pad
Grammar Patterns
the ball of + your foot / thumb
Usage Note
Almost always used with the definite article and a body-part possessive: 'the ball of your foot', 'the ball of his thumb'. Distinguish from sense 1 (a sport object) — body-part contexts make this sense unambiguous.
Common Mistakes
4. a round, often shiny or coloured object that people hang from the branches of a
a round, often shiny or coloured object that people hang from the branches of a Christmas tree as a decoration during the holiday season.
Kofi hung a silver ball on the highest branch of the Christmas tree.
verb collocation: hang a ball on the tree
The children helped Mum unpack the box of glass balls and tinsel.
One red ball slipped from the branch and shattered on the wooden floor.
Each year the family adds one new ball to the tree for memory.
- hang a ball on the tree
- Christmas ball
- glass ball
- shiny ball
Grammar Patterns
hang + a ball + on the tree
Usage Note
In American English, the more common term is 'ornament' or 'Christmas ornament'; British English speakers also use 'bauble'. Use this sense only in a clearly festive context to avoid confusion with sense 1.
5. in football (soccer), a single kick or delivery that moves the ball between team
in football (soccer), a single kick or delivery that moves the ball between teammates, often praised for skill or accuracy.
Kane sent a beautiful ball into the box, and Saka headed it home.
collocation: a beautiful / long / through ball
The midfielder played a long ball over the defence to the striker.
That was a clever ball from Rodri, splitting two defenders cleanly.
Brazil scored after a quick ball down the right wing.
- a long ball
- a through ball
- play a ball
- send a ball into the box
Grammar Patterns
play / send / pass + a ball + to someone
Usage Note
Used by football commentators and fans in countable form ('a long ball', 'a clever ball'), unlike sense 1 where 'the ball' refers to the physical object. Adjectives such as 'long', 'through', 'clever', 'beautiful' often precede it.
Common Mistakes
6. in cricket, one single throw aimed by the player on the throwing team toward the
in cricket, one single throw aimed by the player on the throwing team toward the batter at the other end of the playing strip; six such throws in a row form a set called an over.
Anderson bowled a fast ball that swung sharply past the batter's bat.
collocation: bowl + a fast / slow / wide ball
The first ball of the over hit the stumps and won the match for England.
Kohli scored four runs off the very next ball.
Priya bowled a tricky slow ball, and the batter mistimed her shot.
- bowl a ball
- a fast ball
- the next ball
- ball of the over
Grammar Patterns
bowl + a ball + at someone
Usage Note
Common in cricket commentary. Often counted within an over: 'the third ball of the over', 'the next ball'. Distinguish from sense 5 (football pass) by sport context.
7. in baseball, a pitch that the batter chooses to leave alone because it falls out
in baseball, a pitch that the batter chooses to leave alone because it falls outside the marked area where they are expected to swing.
The umpire called the pitch a ball because it dropped below Mei's knees.
umpire calls the pitch a ball
After three balls, the pitcher looked nervous and wiped sweat from his face.
counting balls in a count
Kenji watched the curve sail wide and knew it was a ball straight away.
ball described as wide of the strike zone
With four balls in a row, the batter walked calmly to first base.
four balls leading to a walk
- call a ball
- throw a ball
- four balls
- strike
a pitch inside the strike zone or swung at and missed
Usage Note
Only used in the count system of baseball; contrasts with 'strike'. Often appears with numbers (one ball, two balls, four balls) to track the at-bat.
Common Mistakes
8. a sport or match in which players throw, catch, kick, or hit a round object as t
a sport or match in which players throw, catch, kick, or hit a round object as the main activity.
The children begged their grandfather to play ball with them in the back garden.
play ball as a general ball sport
Mei and her cousins played ball every weekend until the autumn rain started.
play ball with companions
The school organises ball games on Friday afternoons to keep the students active.
ball games as a category of sport
Kenji is brilliant at any kind of ball, from tennis to basketball.
ball used as a general sport term
- play ball
- ball game
- kind of ball
- ball game
more explicit; usually a specific match
Usage Note
Often appears as 'play ball' in American English to mean playing baseball or any informal ball sport. The compound 'ball game' refers to the sport itself.
9. a grand social event at which guests wear elegant evening clothes and spend the
a grand social event at which guests wear elegant evening clothes and spend the night dancing together.
Kenji wore his grandmother's silver dress to the ball at the town hall.
attending a ball in formal dress
The university holds a summer ball every June in the old college gardens.
hold a ball as an annual event
Kofi invited Esme to the charity ball at the museum next Saturday.
invite someone to a ball
The young prince danced with three different partners at the royal ball.
dance at a royal ball
- go to a ball
- hold a ball
- summer ball
- charity ball
- masked ball
Usage Note
Often modified by an adjective marking the occasion or hosts: 'summer ball', 'charity ball', 'royal ball', 'masked ball'. Implies formal dress and live music.
Common Mistakes
10. an informal word for either round organ in a man's scrotum that makes sperm; alm
an informal word for either round organ in a man's scrotum that makes sperm; almost always used in the plural.
Mei took the football straight in the balls and collapsed on the pitch.
plural form for testicles after impact
The vet checked the puppy's balls before signing the health form.
plural form in a veterinary context
Kofi clutched his balls in pain after the cricket ball hit him.
informal use after injury
The doctor warned Tom to check his balls each month for any unusual lumps.
informal medical self-check advice
- kick in the balls
- check your balls
Usage Note
Informal and considered vulgar in many polite contexts; in writing or with strangers, prefer 'testicles'. Almost always plural in this sense.
Common Mistakes
it is now your turn to act, decide, or respond, because the other side has already done their part.
I have made my offer to Esme, and now the ball is in her court.
We sent the contract to the supplier yesterday, so the ball is in their court.
have a ball
idiomto enjoy yourself a lot, especially at a party or social event.
The kids had a ball at Kenji's birthday party last Saturday.
We had a ball during our two weeks in Okinawa.
on the ball
idiomquick to notice, understand, or react to what is happening; alert and competent.
The new receptionist is really on the ball — she answers every email within minutes.
You need to be on the ball during the morning rush at the café.
drop the ball
idiomto make a careless mistake, especially by failing to do something you were responsible for.
Mei dropped the ball on the client report and missed the Friday deadline.
Sorry, I dropped the ball — I forgot to book the meeting room.
get the ball rolling
idiomto start an activity, project, or discussion so that other people can then join in.
Let me share the first idea to get the ball rolling on this project.
Sofia got the ball rolling by donating the first hundred dollars to the fund.
play ball
idiomto agree to cooperate with someone, especially after first refusing or hesitating.
The supplier finally agreed to play ball and lower the price by ten percent.
If the union won't play ball, the strike could last for weeks.
a situation that is completely different from before and requires new skills or thinking.
Working from home with two toddlers is a whole new ball game for Kofi.
Once the company went public, managing it became a whole new ball game.
a ball and chain
idiomA problem or responsibility that limits your freedom and makes it hard to do what you want.
His old car was a ball and chain, always needing repairs.
Did the debt feel like a ball and chain for Maya?
It is now your or someone else's turn to take action or make a decision.
I've done my part, so the ball is in your court now.
The ball is in their court; we wait for their reply.
A person who is very energetic and enthusiastic.
Little Diego is a ball of energy, running around all day.
Sara is a ball of fire at work, always starting new projects.
carry the ball
idiomTo take responsibility for making sure something gets done.
When the leader was absent, Min had to carry the ball.
Who will carry the ball for this project?
To begin or continue an activity or process so that it progresses smoothly.
Let's start the ball rolling by introducing ourselves.
Aiden kept the ball rolling with regular updates.
To be very capable, skilled, or intelligent.
That new programmer really has a lot on the ball.
Does Brian have enough on the ball to lead the team?
To continue paying attention to the most important thing or goal.
Despite distractions, Maya kept her eye on the ball.
You need to keep your eye on the ball to finish on time.
(be) on the ball
idiomTo be alert, aware, and able to react quickly to what is happening.
The new assistant is really on the ball with details.
Are you on the ball enough to catch the error?
To take an existing idea or plan and develop it further or put it into action.
The team picked up the ball and ran with the new proposal.
Sara took the ball and ran with it, creating a full campaign.
To cooperate or work together with someone, especially in a business or official situation.
The company refused to play ball with the investigators.
If you play ball with us, we can finish early.
Everything that is involved or included in a particular situation or thing.
He bought the car, insurance, and the whole ball of wax.
The deal includes the house, furniture, the whole ball of wax.
Word family
- ballroomnounB2
- ballgamenounB2
- ballparknounB2
- ballpointnounB1
- ballernounC2
- balledadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four name a round, three-dimensional shape, but they sit in very different registers. 'Ball' is the everyday word — children play with one, athletes throw one — and is the only choice for sports equipment or toys. 'Sphere' is the geometric and scientific term: a perfect mathematical shape, used in physics, chemistry, and abstract talk like 'sphere of influence'. 'Globe' usually means a model of the Earth, or by extension the planet itself; it carries weight and significance that 'ball' does not. 'Orb' is literary or ceremonial — a poet's moon, a king's jewelled symbol of power — and sounds odd in casual speech. Compare: the children chased the ball; the chemist drew a sphere on the board; the explorer travelled the globe; the queen held a golden orb.
Common collocations
Nouns
- ball game
- ball boy
- ball gown
- ball bearing
- ball park
- tennis ball
- golf ball
- beach ball
- snowball
- eyeball
Phrases
Prepositions
- ball of (something)
- ball into (something)
- ball at (someone)
- ball over (something)
- ball with (someone)
Etymology
Modern English 'ball' covers two historically separate words. The 'round object' sense comes from Middle English 'bal', borrowed from Old Norse 'bǫllr' meaning a round body, sharing a Germanic root with Old High German 'ballo' and ultimately a Proto-Indo-European root meaning to swell or become round. The 'formal dance' sense (sense 9) is unrelated: it entered English in the 17th century from French 'bal', the noun form of 'baller' (to dance), which traces back through Late Latin 'ballare' to Greek 'ballizein' (to dance, jump about). Speakers feel them as one word today, but they reached English by entirely different routes.