balls
balls — noun
1. the two small male sex organs that hang inside a bag of skin below the penis — t
the two small male sex organs that hang inside a bag of skin below the penis — this word is very informal and may offend some people.
The referee got hit in the balls by the football and had to stop the game for a minute.
hit in the balls
Li told his doctor that he had felt a strange ache in his balls for about a week.
A sharp kick to the balls can knock a grown man to the ground within seconds.
In hospital, the nurse gently checked Amir's balls for signs of swelling after the accident.
- testicles
the neutral, clinical term — appropriate in any setting including medical contexts
- nuts
equally rude slang synonym, also very informal and offensive
- family jewels
humorous slang, milder and less offensive than 'balls'
文法句型
always used in plural form
用法筆記
This is considered a rude and offensive term in polite conversation. The neutral medical term is 'testicles'. Use only in very informal settings among close friends.
常見錯誤
2. something that someone says that is completely untrue, stupid, or not worth list
something that someone says that is completely untrue, stupid, or not worth listening to — used to express strong disagreement or annoyance.
"That is absolute balls!" shouted Yuki when her boss blamed her for the mistake.
absolute balls
Fernando told his friend that the rumour about the factory closing was total balls.
The politician's speech was full of balls about tax cuts that would never happen.
"Balls!" cried Kavya as she read the email blaming her for something she did not do.
- truth
the opposite in terms of factual reliability
文法句型
used as a noun or an exclamation
用法筆記
Commonly used as an exclamation ('Balls!') to show anger or frustration. As a noun, typically modified by 'absolute' or 'total' for emphasis. Less offensive than the anatomical sense but still inappropriate in formal contexts.
常見錯誤
3. the willingness to do something that is difficult, risky, or socially daring — f
the willingness to do something that is difficult, risky, or socially daring — for example, disagreeing with an authority or attempting something that might lead to failure or embarrassment.
No one had the balls to tell the coach that his training plan was not working.
the balls to
Mandla showed real balls by quitting his safe office job to become a mountain guide.
real balls
It takes balls to stand up in front of a thousand people and sing your own songs.
Samira did not have the balls to ask her strict father if she could borrow his car for the weekend trip.
文法句型
have the balls to + infinitive
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the fixed patterns 'have the balls to do something' or 'it takes balls to do something'. Unlike 'courage', this word emphasises social risk-taking rather than moral bravery. Still a rude word; avoid in formal writing.
常見錯誤
balls — verb
1. to press or squeeze a soft material such as paper, cloth, or wool into a round s
to press or squeeze a soft material such as paper, cloth, or wool into a round shape.
Wei balled the letter in his fist and threw it into the kitchen bin.
The child balled up her scarf and stuffed it into her coat pocket before running outside.
balled up
Omar's wet socks balled up inside his shoes as he walked home in the rain.
The napkins on the table were all balled into tight little lumps by the nervous guest.
- unfold
to open something flat that was previously folded or balled up
- spread out
to lay something flat instead of pressing it together
文法句型
ball something up
ball up something
ball something
用法筆記
This is the only neutral, non-offensive sense of 'balls'. It is most commonly used with the particle 'up' ('ball up'). The intransitive form describes material that becomes ball-shaped naturally or through pressure.
常見錯誤
2. to have sex with someone — a very rude and offensive slang term, stronger than m
to have sex with someone — a very rude and offensive slang term, stronger than most other English words for sexual activity.
The tabloid claimed that the actor had balled three different women during the film shoot.
"They were balling all night and kept the whole hotel awake," complained the angry neighbour.
balling
Zara walked into the dressing room and found Lucas balling a backup dancer.
The old movie script was full of crude lines about balling every woman in sight.
- sleep with
much milder and more common; neutral register
- fuck
also very vulgar but perhaps slightly less taboo in modern usage than 'ball' for some speakers
- have sex with
the neutral, clinical expression suitable for any context
文法句型
ball someone
ball (no object)
用法筆記
This sense is considered vulgar and highly offensive by most speakers, much more so than 'sleep with' or even 'fuck'. Its use can cause serious offence. Avoid in any public, professional, or mixed-company setting. The past tense 'balled' is the most common form.
常見錯誤
3. to take part in a game of basketball, especially one played informally rather th
to take part in a game of basketball, especially one played informally rather than in a professional or organised setting.
After school, Diego and his friends went to the park to ball until it got dark.
to ball
Kofi got a new pair of sneakers so that he could ball with the older guys on Saturday mornings.
The local court is always full of teenagers balling after six in the evening during summer.
"You ball?" asked the captain when he saw Kavya dribbling near the court.
- play basketball
the neutral term, appropriate in all settings
- shoot hoops
informal but not slang; suggests practice rather than a full game
- hoop
also informal slang, less common than 'ball'
文法句型
go balling
ball at [location]
用法筆記
This is African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang that has spread into general informal American English. Used mainly by younger speakers. Not appropriate in formal writing, but widely understood among basketball players and fans.