butterball
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for butterball, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small North American duck (the bufflehead) known for its plump, rounded shape.
Synonyms
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A small North American duck (the bufflehead) known for its plump, rounded shape.
“The skipper had his eye on a bunch of butterballs feeding not far from the boat. In fact there were ducks all around — though he did not tell me so.”
2. noun
An overweight person, used informally and often unkindly.
“He joked about being a butterball after the holidays.”
Opposites
Etymology
From butter plus ball.
Full origin of butterball →Frequently asked questions
What does “butterball” mean?
The word “butterball” means a small North American duck (the bufflehead) known for its plump, rounded shape. In plain terms, a round, plump duck species, or informally, a chubby person.
How do you use “butterball” in a sentence?
Here is “butterball” used in a sentence: “A butterball paddled quietly near the reeds.”
What part of speech is “butterball”?
“Butterball” is a noun.
How many meanings does “butterball” have?
“Butterball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small North American duck (the bufflehead) known for its plump, rounded shape.
