All Definitions for Ball
Below are all the dictionary definitions of ball:
1A solid or hollow sphere, or roughly spherical mass.
2A quantity of string, thread, etc., wound into a spherical shape.
3Homologue or analogue of a disk in the Euclidean plane.
4In 3-dimensional Euclidean space, the volume bounded by a sphere.
5The set of points in a metric space of any number of dimensions lying within a given distance (the radius) of a given point.
6The set of points in a topological space lying within some open set containing a given point.
7A solid, spherical nonexplosive missile for a cannon, rifle, gun, etc.
8A jacketed non-expanding bullet, typically of military origin.
9A roundish, protuberant portion of some part of the body.
10The front of the bottom of the foot, just behind the toes.
11The globe
12The earthly sphere.
13An object that is the focus of many sports and games, in which it may be thrown, caught, kicked, bounced, rolled, chased, retrieved, hit with an instrument, spun, etc., usually roughly spherical or ovoid but whose size, weight, bounciness, colour, etc. differ according to the game
14Any sport or game involving a ball
15Its play, literally or figuratively.
16A pitch that falls outside of the strike zone.
17An opportunity to launch the pinball into play.
18A single delivery by the bowler, six of which make up an over.
19A kick (or hit in e.g. field hockey) of the ball towards where one or more teammates is expected to be. (Distinguished from a pass by a longer distance travelled or less specific target point.)
20An apparatus.
21An apparatus program with a ball.
22A testicle.
23Nonsense.
24Courage.
25One thousand US dollars.
26To form or wind into a ball.
27To heat in a furnace and form into balls for rolling.
28To have sexual intercourse (with).
29To gather balls which cling to the feet or skis, as of damp snow or clay
30To gather into balls.
31To be hip or cool.
32To reject from a fraternity or sorority. (Ellipsis of blackball).
33To play basketball.
34To spend money extravagantly.
35To punish by affixing a ball and chain.
36Of bees: to kill (a wasp) by surrounding it in large numbers so as to raise its body heat.
37To operate (a vehicle) at high speed (whether balls-out, balls to the wall, or ballin' the jack, each of which comes ultimately from ball via a different route).
38A formal dance.
39A very enjoyable time.
40A competitive event among young African-American and Latin American LGBTQ+ people in which prizes are awarded for drag and similar performances. See ball culture.
41Such bullets collectively.
42A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle called a ballstock
43Formerly used by printers for inking the form, then superseded by the roller.
44A large pill, a form in which medicine was given to horses
45A bolus.
46An English surname.
47A town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States.
48A hamlet in Egloshayle parish, on the eastern outskirts of Wadebridge, Cornwall, England (OS grid ref SX0073).
About synonyms for ball
Finding the right synonym for ball helps writers avoid repetition and add precision to their work. Defined as "A solid or hollow sphere, or roughly spherical mass.", ball has 8 alternatives that can fit different contexts and tones.
Each synonym carries a slightly different shade of meaning. Formal is the most direct replacement in most situations. Lump works well in formal or professional contexts. Clod is often preferred when the context calls for a more specific or nuanced expression.
When choosing a synonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal synonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual synonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all synonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best alternative. The list above provides the most common and useful replacements for ball, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.