ball
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ball, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A round or roughly spherical object, especially one used in sports and games.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ball
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English bal, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "round object," related to the word for "swell" or "inflate."
Full origin of ball →Frequently asked questions
What does “ball” mean?
The word “ball” means a round or roughly spherical object, especially one used in sports and games. In plain terms, a round object used in play or sport, or a formal dance event.
How do you pronounce “ball”?
“Ball” is pronounced bawl (/bɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ball” in a sentence?
Here is “ball” used in a sentence: “The children kicked the ball around the garden all afternoon.”
What part of speech is “ball”?
Depending on how it is used, “ball” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ball” come from?
The word “ball” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bal, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "round object," related to the word for "swell" or "inflate.".
Is “ball” a common word?
“Ball” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “ball” have?
“Ball” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round or roughly spherical object, especially one used in sports and games.
What is the difference between a ball and a sphere?
A sphere is a precise geometric shape in which every point on the surface is the same distance from the centre. A ball is a physical, roughly round object, which may not be perfectly spherical, as a rugby ball is oval. Sphere is a mathematical idea, while ball is the everyday object.
What are the types of balls used in sports?
Different sports use very different balls. A football and basketball are large and bouncy, a tennis ball is small and felt-covered, a golf ball is hard and dimpled, and a cricket or baseball is dense and stitched. Each is shaped, sized, and weighted for the demands of its game.
What is an example of a ball?
A football is a familiar example, a round, inflated object kicked in play. Other everyday examples include a tennis ball, a beach ball, and a marble. Beyond sport, the word covers anything rolled into a rounded shape, such as a ball of wool or a snowball.