noun Uncommon

marbles

Marbles (noun) means a children's game played by flicking small glass or stone balls, or the balls themselves. Example: “They played marbles at recess every day.”

noun

A children's game played by flicking small glass or stone balls, or the balls themselves.

"They played marbles at recess every day."

(informal) One's sanity or good sense.

"After that stunt, people started to wonder if he'd lost his marbles."

How to use marbles

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe classic playground game, or informally, someone's sanity.

Common pairings

lose your marbles a game of marbles

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They played _____ at recess every day.

Frequently asked questions

What does “marbles” mean?

The word “marbles” means a children's game played by flicking small glass or stone balls, or the balls themselves. In plain terms, the classic playground game, or informally, someone's sanity.

How do you use “marbles” in a sentence?

Here is “marbles” used in a sentence: “They played marbles at recess every day.”

What part of speech is “marbles”?

“Marbles” is a noun.

Is “marbles” a common word?

“Marbles” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “marbles” have?

“Marbles” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a children's game played by flicking small glass or stone balls, or the balls themselves.