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
1
In baseball, a pitch thrown with spin that makes it swerve as it approaches the batter.
"His curveball dropped sharply right over the plate."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- curveballs
- Third person singular
- curveballs
- Past tense
- curveballed
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
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.
