noun
gumball
guhm-bawl
Gumball (noun) means a round piece of chewing gum, often coated in a hard colored sugar shell. Example: “He put a coin in the machine and got a red gumball.”
noun
1
A round piece of chewing gum, often coated in a hard colored sugar shell.
"Remember those clear globe dispensers with gumballs for a penny?"
"He put a coin in the machine and got a red gumball."
2
Informal term for the rotating light on top of a police car.
"The unmarked car had a gumball tucked in the glove box for emergencies."
How to use gumball
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round ball of chewing gum, often sold from vending machines; also slang for a police car's flashing light.
Common pairings
gumball machine
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Word forms
- Plural
- gumballs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He put a coin in the machine and got a red _____.
Etymology
From "gum" (chewing gum) plus "ball," describing its round shape.
Frequently asked questions
What does “gumball” mean?
The word “gumball” means a round piece of chewing gum, often coated in a hard colored sugar shell. In plain terms, a round ball of chewing gum, often sold from vending machines; also slang for a police car's flashing light.
How do you pronounce “gumball”?
“Gumball” is pronounced guhm-bawl (/ɡʌmbɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “gumball” in a sentence?
Here is “gumball” used in a sentence: “He put a coin in the machine and got a red gumball.”
What part of speech is “gumball”?
“Gumball” is a noun.
How many meanings does “gumball” have?
“Gumball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round piece of chewing gum, often coated in a hard colored sugar shell.
