noun
balling
Balling (noun) means the act of forming something into a ball or clump. Example: “The nurse showed her how to check for balling of the cotton wool before use.”
noun
1
The act of forming something into a ball or clump.
"The nurse showed her how to check for balling of the cotton wool before use."
"Balling of the soil made it hard to till the field evenly."
2
Slang for living large or showing off wealth, especially in hip-hop culture.
"He was balling all night, buying rounds for everyone at the club."
"They flew first class and stayed at a five-star hotel — pure balling."
How to use balling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither forming a ball-shaped clump, or (in slang) living extravagantly and flaunting money.
When to use it
The slang "living large" sense is informal/hip-hop derived and unsuitable for formal writing.
Common pairings
balling out
balling hard
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Word forms
- Plural
- ballings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse showed her how to check for _____ of the cotton wool before use.
Etymology
Formed from ball plus the -ing ending, originally describing anything shaped or wound into a ball.
Rhymes for balling
See all rhymes for balling →Frequently asked questions
What does “balling” mean?
The word “balling” means the act of forming something into a ball or clump. In plain terms, either forming a ball-shaped clump, or (in slang) living extravagantly and flaunting money.
How do you use “balling” in a sentence?
Here is “balling” used in a sentence: “The nurse showed her how to check for balling of the cotton wool before use.”
What part of speech is “balling”?
“Balling” is a noun.
How many meanings does “balling” have?
“Balling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of forming something into a ball or clump.
