Definition of the word ball

Pronunciation of vocabulary ball

ballnoun

quả bóng

/bɔːl/

Definition of the word <b>ball</b>

Origin of the word ball

The word "ball" has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages. It's believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*bolliz" which meant "swelling" or "bulge". This original sense referred to the rounded shape of the body or a tumor. Over time, the meaning of "ball" expanded to include a variety of rounded objects, such as a ball of yarn, a ball of clay, or a projectile. By the 14th century, "ball" was being used to describe playing balls, such as those used in games like tennis or bowling. Today, the word "ball" has become a versatile term with many meanings and applications, from sports to astronomy to informal conversation!

Vocabulary summary ball

typenoun

meaningdance

exampleto give a ball

exampleto open the ball: opening of a dance; (figurative) start of work

typenoun

meaningsphere

exampleto give a ball

exampleto open the ball: opening of a dance; (figurative) start of work

meaningball, board

examplethat horse is not lame but balled: balled: this horse is not lame but has clay (snow...) stuck to its legs and cannot run.

meaningbullet

Example of vocabulary ballnamespace

meaning

a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports

vật tròn dùng để ném, đánh hoặc đá trong trò chơi và thể thao

  • a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball

    một quả gôn/quần vợt/bowling/bóng đá

  • to hit/throw/kick/catch a ball

    đánh/ném/đá/bắt bóng

  • He kicked the ball into the net.

    Anh sút bóng vào lưới.

  • Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net.

    Tung bóng lên và cố gắng đánh nó qua lưới.

  • The kids were playing with a bat and ball in the park.

    Bọn trẻ đang chơi với gậy và bóng trong công viên.

  • The ball bounced off down the road.

    Quả bóng bật ra khỏi mặt đường.

Extra examples:
  • Oh no! He's dropped the ball.

    Ôi không! Anh ấy đã đánh rơi bóng.

  • She chased the ball all over the pitch.

    Cô đuổi theo quả bóng khắp sân.

  • The ball flew over the bar into the sea of Middlesbrough fans.

    Bóng bay vọt xà ngang vào biển cổ động viên Middlesbrough.

  • The ball hit me on the head.

    Quả bóng đập vào đầu tôi.

  • The ball hit the wall and rolled along the road.

    Quả bóng đập vào tường và lăn dọc đường.

meaning

a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape

một vật tròn hoặc một vật đã được tạo thành hình tròn

  • The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon.

    Mặt trời là một quả cầu lửa khổng lồ ở phía chân trời.

  • a ball of yarn/string

    một quả bóng sợi/sợi dây

  • The little girl curled into a ball in her mother's arms.

    Cô bé cuộn tròn như quả bóng trong vòng tay mẹ.

  • Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection.

    Một số động vật cuộn mình thành một quả bóng để bảo vệ.

  • He screwed the letter up into a tight ball.

    Anh ta vặn lá thư lại thành một quả bóng thật chặt.

meaning

a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports

cú đá, đánh hoặc ném bóng trong một số môn thể thao

  • He sent over a high ball.

    Anh ấy đã chuyền bóng cao.

  • He pounced on a loose ball and scored.

    Anh ấy lao vào một quả bóng lỏng lẻo và ghi bàn.

  • That's a great ball from Kane.

    Đó là một pha bóng tuyệt vời của Kane.

meaning

a throw by the pitcher that is outside the strike zone (= the area between the batter's upper arms and knees)

cú ném của người ném bóng nằm ngoài khu vực tấn công (= khu vực giữa cánh tay và đầu gối của người đánh bóng)

meaning

the part below the big toe or the thumb

phần bên dưới ngón chân cái hoặc ngón tay cái

meaning

a testicle

một tinh hoàn

meaning

a large formal party with dancing

một bữa tiệc trang trọng lớn với khiêu vũ

  • She met him at the ball.

    Cô gặp anh ở vũ hội.

  • We're organizing a charity ball.

    Chúng tôi đang tổ chức một buổi vũ hội từ thiện.

Extra examples:
  • We're going to a masked ball.

    Chúng ta sẽ đến một vũ hội đeo mặt nạ.

  • They're holding a charity ball at the end of the month.

    Họ đang tổ chức vũ hội từ thiện vào cuối tháng.

  • They've hired a 10-piece band for the summer ball.

    Họ đã thuê một ban nhạc gồm 10 thành viên cho vũ hội mùa hè.

  • You shall go to the ball, Cinderella!

    Bạn sẽ đi dự vũ hội, Lọ Lem!

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary ball

Idioms of vocabulary ball

a ball and chain
a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do
  • The responsibility was a ball and chain around my ankle.
    • the ball is in your/somebody’s court
    it is your/somebody’s responsibility to take action next
  • They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now.
    • a ball of energy/fire
    (informal)a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm
    carry the ball
    (US English, informal)to take responsibility for getting something done
  • My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball.
    • drop the ball
    (North American English, informal)to make a mistake and cause something that you are responsible for to fail
  • Let’s not drop the ball on this.
    • get/set/start/keep the ball rolling
    to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen
    have a ball
    (informal)to enjoy yourself a lot
    have something/a lot on the ball
    (US English, informal)to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent
    keep your eye on the ball
    to continue to give your attention to what is most important
    (be) on the ball
    to be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly
  • The new publicity manager is really on the ball.
    • pick up/take the ball and run with it
    (especially North American English)to develop an idea or plan that already exists
  • It's up to the private sector to take the ball and run with it.
  • The mainstream media will pick up the ball and run with it.
  • a challenge to other universities to pick up the ball and run with it
    • play ball (with somebody)
    (North American English)to play with a ball
  • Chris was in the park playing ball with the kids.
    • (informal)to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want
  • We contacted the airline about a refund but they wouldn’t play ball.
    • the whole ball of wax
    (North American English, informal)the whole thing; everything
  • I panicked, I cried—the whole ball of wax.

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