ball
ball
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "ball" is /bɔːl/.
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive
/ɔː/: Open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "thought")
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: ball
Plural Noun: balls
Verb (base form): ball
Verb (third-person singular present): balls
Verb (present participle): balling
Verb (past tense/past participle): balled
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A spherical or nearly spherical object, typically used in games or sports, or as a toy.
Synonyms: sphere, orb, globe, pellet
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a physical object; perhaps "flat object" or "cube" for contrast in shape)
Definition: A large, formal dance event, often held for a special occasion.
Synonyms: dance, masquerade, gala, prom (informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "casual gathering" or "informal get-together")
Definition: (Slang) A very enjoyable or exciting time or experience.
Synonyms: blast, fun, good time, party
Antonyms: bore, drag, disappointment, dullness
Verb
Definition: To form something into a compact, rounded shape.
Example: "She balled up the paper and threw it in the trash."
Synonyms: roll, bunch, gather, clump
Antonyms: unroll, unfold, flatten, smooth
Definition: (Of snow, mud, etc.) To accumulate in a compact mass, especially on an object like the sole of a shoe.
Example: "The mud balled up on his boots as he walked through the field."
Synonyms: clump, cake, glob
Antonyms: disperse, spread, melt away
Examples of Use
Books:
"When he was a boy, he had dreamed of hitting a home run in the World Series, seeing the ball soar over the outfield fence." (Fictional sports novel, e.g., The Natural by Bernard Malamud, though this specific phrasing is an example)
"The Cinderella story culminated in the grand royal ball, where she captivated the prince." (Classic fairy tale, e.g., Cinderella)
Newspapers:
"The city council held its annual charity ball last night, raising funds for local schools." (The New York Times, hypothetical headline)
"A controversial foul ball call in the bottom of the ninth inning decided the outcome of the game." (ESPN.com, hypothetical sports report)
Online Publications:
"Learning to juggle three balls can be a challenging but rewarding skill." (Wikihow.com, article on juggling)
"The tech company is looking for people with a lot of balls – willing to take risks and innovate." (Forbes.com, hypothetical business article using slang)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "No, no, no, you don't chase the ball, you anticipate where it's going to be!" (Dialogue from a sports movie, e.g., Moneyball)
Television Series: "She showed up to the debuntante ball in a dress that turned every head." (Dialogue from a period drama, e.g., Bridgerton)
Music (Song Lyrics): "You spin me right 'round, baby, right 'round, like a record, baby, right 'round, 'round, 'round." (Dead or Alive, "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" - While not directly using "ball," the concept of a spinning spherical object is implicit, and "ball" could easily substitute "record" in a different context, e.g., "like a ball")
Video Games: "Collect all the energy balls to power up your shield." (Instruction or objective in an action/adventure video game, e.g., Super Mario Bros., Metroid)
Podcasts: "We had an absolute ball recording this episode, the chemistry was just fantastic." (Host of a comedy podcast, casual conversation)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's get the ball rolling on this project; we're falling behind schedule." (Common idiom, used in a meeting or conversation)
"The kids spent the whole afternoon playing with a deflated ball in the park." (Everyday conversation between parents)
"I went to a really fancy ball last weekend, everyone was dressed to the nines." (Casual conversation about a social event)
"He's got a lot of balls to stand up to the boss like that." (Colloquial expression, referring to courage)
10 Famous Quotes Using Ball
"The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your opportunities." (Unknown)
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky, though often attributed to Michael Jordan with a basketball metaphor)
"Life is like a game of tennis; the player who serves well seldom loses." (Author unknown, but a common sporting adage)
"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run." (Babe Ruth, a baseball quote implying the attempt to hit a ball)
"I came here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum." (Rowdy Roddy Piper, from the film They Live – while not using "ball," it uses a common chewable sphere, setting a precedent for a playful, assertive tone)
"It is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." (Grantland Rice, a sports quote fundamentally about the interaction with the ball and opponents)
"I believe in the game, in the honor of the game, in the beauty of the game. And I believe in the ball." (Excerpt from Field of Dreams, a pivotal baseball film)
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." (Dr. Seuss, a general life quote, but often applied to the end of a fun event, like a ball or game)
"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." (Kobe Bryant, a basketball legend, inspiring others to achieve their goals with the ball)
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." (Catherine Aird, a metaphorical quote implying the "ball" is in one's court to choose a path)
Etymology
The word "ball" actually has two main origins that, by chance, ended up sounding and being spelled the same in English!
Origin 1: The Round Object
This is the "ball" you play with. Its roots go back a long way through Germanic languages. It comes from:
Proto-Indo-European (*bhel-): This ancient, reconstructed language had a root meaning "to blow, inflate, or swell." Think of something that puffs up or becomes round.
Proto-Germanic (*balluz): This is the ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch. From this, we get words like Old Norse "bǫllr" and Old High German "balla," all meaning a round object.
Old English (*beall or *bealla): While not directly recorded, it's believed there was an Old English word like this, related to the diminutive "bealluc" (which meant "testicle" – another round object!).
Middle English (bal, ball, balle): This is where we start seeing the word in written English.
First Known Use and Meaning (Round Object):
The earliest known use of "ball" in English, meaning a round object used in play, is from around 1166-1205. An early example from Layamon's Brut (a chronicle of Britain) in 1205 says, "Summe heo driuen balles wide ȝeond Þa feldes" which translates to "Some of them drove balls far across the fields." This clearly refers to a spherical object used in a game.
Origin 2: The Dance Party
This "ball" has a completely different, unrelated origin! It comes from:
Ancient Greek (ballízein): This word literally meant "to throw one's body around" or "to jump about," which was how ancient Greek dancing was described.
Late Latin (ballāre): This Latin word directly meant "to dance."
Old French (baller and bal): From Late Latin, the French developed the verb "baller" (to dance) and the noun "bal" (a dance).
English (ball): English borrowed this French word in the 17th century.
First Known Use and Meaning (Dance Party):
The first known use of "ball" referring to a formal dance event in English is from the early 1600s. It came directly from the French "bal," describing a large, formal gathering for dancing.
So, while they sound and look the same, the "ball" you kick and the "ball" you attend for dancing are two distinct words with separate historical journeys!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ball
The ball is in your court: It's your turn to make a move or decision.
Get the ball rolling: To start an activity or process.
On the ball: Alert, competent, and efficient.
Have a ball: To have a very good time; to enjoy oneself greatly.
Drop the ball: To make a mistake, especially by failing to do something that was expected.
Play hardball: To behave in a tough, uncompromising, or aggressive way.
Keep your eye on the ball: To remain focused on the main aim or task.
A whole new ball game: A completely new situation, often with different rules or circumstances.
Go to the wall (with ball as a synonym): To fail completely; to lose everything (less common with "ball," more with "wall" directly).
Run with the ball: To take the initiative and continue a task or project enthusiastically.
Carry the ball: To take responsibility for something.
Snowball effect: A situation in which something increases in size or importance at a faster and faster rate.
Ball and chain: A burden or hindrance, especially to one's freedom.
An arm and a leg (like a high-cost ball): Something that is very expensive.
Throw a curveball: To present someone with an unexpected problem or challenge.
Take one for the team (like taking a hit from a ball): To make a sacrifice for the benefit of the group.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ball from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
