ballpark
/ˈbɔːlpɑːk/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɔlpˌɑrk] /ˈbɔːlpɑːrk/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɔlpˌɑrk] /ˈbȯl-ˌpärk/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbɔːl.pɑːk/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɔlpˌɑrk] /ˈbɑːl.pɑːrk/ (ame, ipa)
ballpark — noun
- ballparksingular
- ballparksplural
1. A large outdoor sports area with rows of seats around a field, used mainly for b
A large outdoor sports area with rows of seats around a field, used mainly for baseball games and other ball sports.
Thousands of fans packed the ballpark to watch the championship game.
collocation: pack the ballpark (fill with people)
Meera bought a hot dog and found her seat near third base at the ballpark.
The city council voted to build a new ballpark with wider seats and better lighting.
On summer evenings the ballpark lights could be seen from miles away.
Children ran across the empty ballpark field long after the game ended.
文法句型
ballpark + verb
preposition + ballpark
用法筆記
This sense is most common in North American English, where baseball culture is widespread. In British English, 'stadium' or 'sports ground' is preferred unless referring specifically to baseball.
常見錯誤
2. A range of possible amounts, prices, or values that is considered acceptable or
A range of possible amounts, prices, or values that is considered acceptable or likely to contain the correct figure.
The contractor's estimate was in the ballpark of fifty thousand dollars.
in the ballpark of [amount] — common pattern
Karim's offer was not even in the same ballpark as the seller's asking price.
negative: not in the same ballpark
The real cost fell within the ballpark our team had predicted last month.
Alessia needed a ballpark for the budget before she could begin planning.
Both proposals came in at similar prices, so they are in the same ballpark.
文法句型
in the ballpark
in the ballpark of [amount]
within the ballpark
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in fixed phrases: 'in the (same) ballpark' or 'in the ballpark of + amount'. The singular form is standard; plural 'ballparks' is rare in this sense.
常見錯誤
ballpark — adjective
- ballparkpositive
- more ballparkcomparative
- most ballparksuperlative
1. Used to describe a number or amount that is guessed but probably close to the ac
Used to describe a number or amount that is guessed but probably close to the actual figure.
Could you give me a ballpark figure for the repair work on the kitchen?
collocation: ballpark figure
Even a ballpark estimate would help Joshua plan his budget for next year.
collocation: ballpark estimate
The nurse gave Rohan a ballpark number of patients seen each day at the clinic.
I only need a ballpark idea of how much the flights from Taipei will cost.
A ballpark price of three million yen was mentioned during the meeting.
- rough
more common and less informal; e.g. 'a rough estimate'
- approximate
more formal; implies a slightly more careful calculation
文法句型
ballpark figure
ballpark estimate
ballpark number
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb — 'the estimate was ballpark' is incorrect. Use 'in the ballpark' (noun sense 2) instead.
常見錯誤
ballpark — verb
- ballparkpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ballparks3rd person singular
- ballparking-ing form
- ballparkedpast simple
1. To make a rough guess about a number, price, or amount without needing it to be
To make a rough guess about a number, price, or amount without needing it to be exact.
Can you ballpark the total cost of materials for this renovation project?
transitive: ballpark + noun (cost/price)
Diego ballparked the distance at around two hundred kilometres.
ballpark + noun + at + amount
Without seeing the house the agent ballparked the rent at three thousand a month.
Iris quickly ballparked the number of guests at roughly eighty people.
Adisa ballparked the delivery time at four to six weeks for the custom order.
- estimate
the standard, more formal alternative
- guesstimate
a blend of 'guess' and 'estimate'; even more informal than 'ballpark'
文法句型
ballpark + noun (amount/price)
ballpark + noun + at + amount
用法筆記
Very informal and not common in formal writing. The past tense 'ballparked' is standard. Frequently occurs with 'at' to introduce the estimated amount. More formal alternatives: 'estimate', 'approximate'.