ball
/bɔːl/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɔl] /bɔːl/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɔl] /ˈbȯl/ (ame, mw) · [bˈɔl] /bɑːl/ (ame, ipa)
ball — noun
- ballsingular
- ballsplural
1. a round object that children play with or that is used in games such as football
a round object that children play with or that is used in games such as football, tennis, and basketball
Aiko kicked the ball across the playground to her brother.
kick + ball; across + place
The tennis ball hit the net and bounced onto the grass.
Leila threw the ball to the dog, who caught it in mid-air.
Children at the park were passing a ball back and forth.
常見錯誤
2. a quantity of thread, wool, or string that has been wound into a compact, round
a quantity of thread, wool, or string that has been wound into a compact, round mass
Grandma handed me a ball of yarn so I could knit a scarf.
ball of yarn / wool / string
The cat found a ball of wool and started batting it across the floor.
Priya unwound the ball of string carefully to measure the table.
He tossed the ball of twine to his father, who caught it one-handed.
用法筆記
Often used in the pattern 'a ball of [material]' where the material is thread, wool, yarn, string, or twine.
3. the fleshy, cushioned part on the underside of the foot just behind the toes, an
the fleshy, cushioned part on the underside of the foot just behind the toes, and the matching rounded area on the palm at the root of the thumb
The dancer balanced on the balls of her feet for almost a minute.
ball of the foot / feet
Mateo pressed the ball of his thumb against the lid to open the jar.
ball of the thumb
Walking on the balls of your feet can help you move more quietly.
The doctor gently pressed the ball of the patient's foot to check her reflexes.
用法筆記
Always followed by 'of the foot' or 'of the thumb'. The plural 'balls of the feet' is common when describing movement or posture.
常見錯誤
4. a shiny, round decoration made of glass or plastic that is hung on a Christmas t
a shiny, round decoration made of glass or plastic that is hung on a Christmas tree
The children hung shiny red and gold balls on the Christmas tree.
hang balls on the Christmas tree
One of the glass balls fell off the tree and shattered on the wooden floor.
Grandma's collection of antique tree balls dates back to the 1950s.
Each year the family buys one new silver ball to add to their tree.
用法筆記
Also called 'Christmas bauble' (British English). Often modified by colour or material: 'glass ball', 'silver ball', 'gold ball'.
5. an instance of sending the ball between teammates during a football game
an instance of sending the ball between teammates during a football game
The midfielder sent a long ball to the striker, who volleyed it into the net.
send a long ball to [player]
Lee controlled a difficult ball from his teammate and dribbled past two defenders.
The coach yelled at the team to play short balls instead of long kicks.
Jones picked up a great ball from Campbell and ran straight toward the goal.
用法筆記
Common in British football commentary. Modified by adjectives describing quality or distance: 'long ball', 'short ball', 'great ball', 'cross ball'.
6. a single delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batter in the sport of cricke
a single delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batter in the sport of cricket
The bowler bowled a fast ball that swung past the batter's bat.
bowl a ball; fast ball / slow ball
He was beaten by a great ball that spun sharply off the pitch.
The umpire called a no-ball when the bowler overstepped the crease.
Ravi faced the first ball of the over with calm confidence.
用法筆記
In cricket, each delivery is called 'a ball'. The term 'no-ball' and 'bouncer' (a short-pitched ball) are specific types. Also used in compound: 'new ball' (a fresh ball taken after a set number of overs).
7. in baseball, a pitch that misses the target area and does not count as a strike
in baseball, a pitch that misses the target area and does not count as a strike - four of these give the batter a free pass to first base
The pitcher threw four balls in a row, and the batter walked to first base.
throw a ball; four balls = a walk
It's a full count: three balls and two strikes.
three balls, two strikes = full count
With the count at two balls and no strikes, the batter waited for a better pitch.
The umpire called the third ball and the crowd groaned in frustration.
- strike
a pitch that the batter should have hit, either in the strike zone or when the batter swings and misses
用法筆記
Distinct from 'strike': a 'ball' is a pitch outside the strike zone; four balls give the batter a 'walk' (free pass to first base). The count is always stated as 'balls' first, then 'strikes' (e.g. 'three-and-two').
常見錯誤
8. any game that is played with a ball, especially baseball, basketball, or footbal
any game that is played with a ball, especially baseball, basketball, or football
The kids were outside playing ball in the street until it got dark.
play ball
We spent the whole afternoon at the park, just throwing and catching ball.
I like watching college ball on Saturday afternoons.
In our town, spring means ball season — every field is full of teams practicing.
用法筆記
Used without an article ('play ball', 'watch ball') to refer to the activity or sport in general. Often combined with modifiers: 'pro ball' (professional baseball/basketball), 'college ball', 'summer ball'.
常見錯誤
9. a large formal social event where people dress in elegant clothes and dance
a large formal social event where people dress in elegant clothes and dance
Did you go to the Summer Ball last year at the Grand Hotel?
Summer Ball / Annual Ball
Yusuf rented a tuxedo for the charity ball his company was hosting.
The debutante ball is a tradition for young women in some social circles.
At midnight, the ballroom fell silent and the host announced the end of the ball.
用法筆記
Often used with occasion or season names: 'Summer Ball', 'Charity Ball', 'New Year's Ball'. In British English, also 'school ball' (formal school dance). Distinguished from 'party' by formality and dancing.
10. a testicle - part of a male reproductive system, responsible for generating sper
a testicle - part of a male reproductive system, responsible for generating sperm
The doctor examined the patient and found a small lump on his left ball.
He winced when the football hit him square in the balls.
hit in the balls (informal)
The vet explained that one of the dog's balls had not descended properly.
Young men are advised to check their balls regularly for any unusual changes.
用法筆記
Considered vulgar or coarse in many contexts. In medical settings, use 'testicle' instead. The plural 'balls' is more common than the singular.
常見錯誤
ball — verb
- ballpresent simple I / you / we / they
- balls3rd person singular
- balling-ing form
- balledpast simple
1. to form something into a round shape, especially by pressing or curling it
to form something into a round shape, especially by pressing or curling it
She balled her fists in anger, her knuckles turning white.
ball one's fists
The child balled the cookie dough in his palms before putting it on the tray.
He balled the piece of paper and threw it into the wastebasket.
Lin balled the wet towel tightly and hung it over the rack.
The old man balled his handkerchief and shoved it into his pocket.
- unroll
opposite of making something round; spreading it flat
文法句型
ball + object
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'fist' (ball one's fists) as an idiomatic expression of anger or determination. The object can be any flexible item that can be compressed into a round shape.
常見錯誤
2. vulgar slang for having sex with someone, used only of a man
vulgar slang for having sex with someone, used only of a man
The crude joke was about a farmhand who claimed he could ball any woman in the village.
vulgar slang: ball someone
In some old movies, characters use ball as a crude way to talk about having sex.
The teenagers laughed at the graffiti that said two people had been balling behind the gym.
The comedian used crude jokes about balling groupies during his stand-up show.
- screw
equally vulgar slang
- have sex with
neutral, appropriate in any context
文法句型
ball + someone
用法筆記
Extremely vulgar. Avoid in any formal, professional, or polite context. The standard neutral verb is 'have sex with' or 'sleep with'. This sense is typically used by men in crude or offensive speech.