Ball Hit Bɔːl Net Round Responsibility I Make

• a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball
• to hit/throw/kick/catch a ball
• he kicked the ball into the net.
• bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net.

ball

1. a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports
• SEE ALSO bowling ball
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/bowling-ball
• a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball
• to hit/throw/kick/catch a ball
• He kicked the ball into the net.
• Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net.
• The kids were playing with a bat and ball in the park.
• The ball bounced off down the road.

Extra Examples

• Oh no! He's dropped the ball.
• She chased the ball all over the pitch.
• The ball flew over the bar into the sea of Middlesbrough fans.
• The ball hit me on the head.
• The ball hit the wall and rolled along the road.
• The catcher missed the ball.
• The fielders try to retrieve the ball quickly and return it to the bowler.
• The kids love to kick a ball against my wall.
• He's an excellent ball handler.
• His ball control was excellent.
2. a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape
• SEE ALSO disco ball
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/disco-ball
• The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon.
• a ball of yarn/string
• The little girl curled into a ball in her mother's arms.
• Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection.
• He screwed the letter up into a tight ball.
3. a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports
• SEE ALSO air ball
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/air-ball
• He sent over a high ball.
• He pounced on a loose ball and scored.
• That's a great ball from Kane.
4. a throw by the pitcher that is outside the strike zone (= the area between the batter's upper arms and knees)
5. the part below the big toe or the thumb
6. a testicle
• SEE ALSO balls
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/balls_2
7. a large formal party with dancing

Extra Examples

• She met him at the ball.
• We're organizing a charity ball.
• We're going to a masked ball.
• They're holding a charity ball at the end of the month.
• They've hired a 10-piece band for the summer ball.
• You shall go to the ball, Cinderella!
8. a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do
• The responsibility was a ball and chain around my ankle.
9. it is your/somebody’s responsibility to take action next
• They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now.
10. a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm
11. to take responsibility for getting something done
• My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball.
12. to make a mistake and cause something that you are responsible for to fail
• Let’s not drop the ball on this.
13. to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen
14. to enjoy yourself a lot
15. to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent
16. to continue to give your attention to what is most important
17. to be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly
• The new publicity manager is really on the ball.
18. 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
19. to play with a ball
• Chris was in the park playing ball with the kids.
20. 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.
21. the whole thing; everything
• I panicked, I cried—the whole ball of wax.

Word Origin

• noun senses 1 to 6 Middle English: from Old Norse bǫllr, of Germanic origin. noun sense 7 early 17th cent.: from French bal ‘a dance’, from late Latin ballare ‘to dance’; related to Greek ballizein ‘to dance’ (also ballein ‘to throw’).