noun

curveball

Curveball (noun) means In baseball, a pitch thrown with spin that makes it swerve as it approaches the batter. Example: “His curveball dropped sharply right over the plate.”

noun

In baseball, a pitch thrown with spin that makes it swerve as it approaches the batter.

"His curveball dropped sharply right over the plate."

An unexpected difficulty or surprise.

"The interview threw her a curveball by asking about a project she'd never mentioned."

How to use curveball

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pitch that curves in baseball, or more generally, an unexpected twist someone throws at you.

Common pairings

throw a curveball life throws curveballs

Word forms

curveballed past tense, curveballs plural, curveballs singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “curveball” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

His _____ dropped sharply right over the plate.

Etymology

From curve + ball, describing a pitch that curves in flight.

Rhymes for curveball

eyeball fireball baseball dodgeball slimeball

See all rhymes for curveball →

Frequently asked questions

What does “curveball” mean?

The word “curveball” means in baseball, a pitch thrown with spin that makes it swerve as it approaches the batter. In plain terms, a pitch that curves in baseball, or more generally, an unexpected twist someone throws at you.

How do you use “curveball” in a sentence?

Here is “curveball” used in a sentence: “His curveball dropped sharply right over the plate.”

What part of speech is “curveball”?

“Curveball” is a noun.

How many meanings does “curveball” have?

“Curveball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in baseball, a pitch thrown with spin that makes it swerve as it approaches the batter.