adj
ballsy
BAWL-zee
Ballsy (adj) means Bold and daring; showing a lot of nerve. Example: “It was a ballsy move to negotiate a raise on his first week.”
adj
1
Bold and daring; showing a lot of nerve.
"It was a ballsy move to negotiate a raise on his first week."
"Her ballsy attitude won over the toughest clients."
How to use ballsy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBold, brave, and unafraid to take risks.
When to use it
Informal; fine in casual speech and writing but not formal contexts.
Common pairings
a ballsy move
ballsy attitude
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ballsy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- ballsier
- Superlative
- ballsiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____ move to negotiate a raise on his first week.
Etymology
Formed from "balls" (courage) plus the adjective ending -y.
Frequently asked questions
What does “ballsy” mean?
The word “ballsy” means bold and daring; showing a lot of nerve. In plain terms, bold, brave, and unafraid to take risks.
How do you pronounce “ballsy”?
“Ballsy” is pronounced BAWL-zee (/ˈbɔlzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ballsy” in a sentence?
Here is “ballsy” used in a sentence: “It was a ballsy move to negotiate a raise on his first week.”
What part of speech is “ballsy”?
“Ballsy” is an adjective.
