ball game

IPA/ˈbɔːl ɡeɪm/
IPA/ˈbɔːl ɡeɪm/

ball game — noun

1. a sport or recreational activity in which players use a ball to score points acc

1.名詞A2
釋義

a sport or recreational activity in which players use a ball to score points according to a set of rules

例句

Lan joined friends for a ball game on the school field after class.

Soccer and basketball are ball games that children play in nearly every country.

ball games as a category — generic use

同義詞
  • sport

    broader category; covers non-ball sports too (swimming, gymnastics)

  • ball sport

    more explicit alternative, used especially in instructional contexts

文法句型

the + ball game + of + sport-name

play + a + ball game

用法筆記

This is the general sense used to describe a type of sport. When referring to a specific match or competition, use sense 3 instead.

常見錯誤

❌Ball game is my favorite sport.
✅Soccer is my favorite ball game.
💡'ball game' is a category, not a specific sport; name the sport alongside it.

2. the particular conditions or way things are in a situation, especially when thes

2.名詞B2
釋義

the particular conditions or way things are in a situation, especially when these have changed from how they were before

例句

After the CEO took over, the department was a whole new ball game for everyone.

idiom: a whole new ball game — completely different situation

Omar's small shop was easy, but the online store was a different ball game.

同義詞
  • situation

    neutral, broader; does not imply that things have changed

  • affair

    also neutral, informal; slightly vaguer

  • proposition

    more formal; focuses on what needs to be dealt with

文法句型

a whole new ball game

a (completely) different ball game

it is + a + adj + ball game

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears in fixed phrases — 'a whole new ball game,' 'a different ball game,' or 'a completely new ball game.' The word 'game' cannot be replaced with 'sport' or 'match' in these expressions.

常見錯誤

❌The situation is a new ball.
✅The situation is a whole new ball game.
💡The full phrase 'ball game' is required, not just 'ball'; 'whole new' or 'different' is usually needed.

3. an organized sporting match or contest in which teams or individuals compete aga

3.名詞B1
釋義

an organized sporting match or contest in which teams or individuals compete against each other

例句

The championship ball game between the two rival schools drew over eight thousand fans.

collocation: championship ball game

Pedro has not missed a home ball game since he joined the supporters' club.

同義詞
  • match

    equivalent in British English; used for soccer, tennis, etc.

  • contest

    slightly more formal; can include non-sport competitions

  • game

    shorter alternative; same meaning but less specific than 'ball game'

文法句型

the + ball game + between + teams

a + adj + ball game

ball game + starts/ends

用法筆記

This sense refers to a specific instance of a game (one match), not the sport in general. It is most common in North American English, especially for baseball and American football.

常見錯誤

❌I watched a basketball ball game on TV.
✅I watched a basketball game on TV.
💡When the sport is named, 'ball' is redundant; just say 'game.'