balls
balls — noun
1. a very informal and offensive word for the two male sex organs that hang behind
a very informal and offensive word for the two male sex organs that hang behind the penis — used mainly as a swear word or in very crude conversation.
Joaquín took a hard kick to the balls during the football match and limped off the field.
physical injury context in sports rather than medical
A stray ball hit him right in the balls, and he dropped to the ground in pain.
literal physical injury context
Noa took a knee to the balls during the rugby match and had to leave the field.
After the cycling accident, Kenji was embarrassed to admit his balls were swollen.
文法句型
always plural
used as a crude anatomical term
用法筆記
This is a very crude and offensive term. Avoid using it in polite conversation or formal writing. The standard neutral word is 'testicles' (formal) or 'testes' (medical).
常見錯誤
2. a swear word used to say that something is completely untrue, stupid, or worthle
a swear word used to say that something is completely untrue, stupid, or worthless — also used as an angry exclamation when something goes wrong.
Mei-Lin told her boss the report was a load of balls and refused to sign it.
pattern: 'a load of ~' for rejecting something as worthless
Balls! I left my wallet on the bus with all my cards inside.
interjection expressing frustration
Arjun read the email twice and muttered, 'that's absolute balls,' before deleting it.
When the politician claimed taxes were falling, the crowd shouted 'Balls!' from the back.
- truth
the opposite of nonsense or lies
文法句型
used as an exclamation of anger
a load of ~
what a load of ~
用法筆記
This is a strong swear word. In British and Australian English it is very common as an exclamation of mild frustration, but it is still considered offensive in formal or professional settings. Equivalent to 'bullshit' in American English.
常見錯誤
3. a very informal and rude word for the confidence, courage, or determination to d
a very informal and rude word for the confidence, courage, or determination to do something difficult, dangerous, or socially risky.
Kenji didn't have the balls to tell his parents he had quit his job.
pattern: 'have the balls to + infinitive'
Fatima had the balls to stand up to the manager and demand fair pay.
You need balls of steel to walk into that cage and fight the champion.
Hugo showed real balls by quitting his safe job to start a new business.
- cowardice
lack of courage or bravery
文法句型
have the ~ to + infinitive
~ of steel
用法筆記
Although this is a vulgar term, it is very commonly used in everyday informal speech among adults to mean 'courage' or 'nerve'. The pattern 'have the balls to + VERB' is the most common structure. Use 'guts' (milder but still informal) or 'courage' (neutral) in polite settings.
常見錯誤
4. round objects of different sizes that are used in sports, games, or as toys — fo
round objects of different sizes that are used in sports, games, or as toys — for example, a football, a tennis ball, or a small rubber ball that children throw and catch.
The children played with brightly coloured balls in the garden until the rain started.
literal playful context with plural count noun
Oliver put all the tennis balls into a basket and carried them to the court.
Sofia's dog loves chasing balls and will run after them for hours in the park.
The physiotherapist gave Diego two rubber balls to squeeze during his hand therapy.
文法句型
plural of ball
used as a simple count noun for round objects in sport and play
用法筆記
This is simply the plural of 'ball' as a physical object. In many contexts the singular 'ball' is used collectively (e.g. 'throw me the ball') even when multiple balls are available. The plural 'balls' is used when you want to refer to multiple individual round objects distinctly.
balls — verb
- ballspresent simple I / you / we / they
- ballses3rd person singular
- ballsing-ing form
- ballsedpast simple
1. to press, roll, or squeeze something soft into a round, tight shape — for exampl
to press, roll, or squeeze something soft into a round, tight shape — for example, balling up a piece of paper to throw away, or balling dough in your hands before rolling it flat.
Wei balled the dough in his palms before placing it on the baking tray.
cooking context: balling dough
Aisha balled up the letter and threw it into the bin without reading it.
pattern: 'ball up' for crumpling paper
The child balled his fists angrily when he was told it was time for bed.
Amara balled her scarf tightly in her hands while waiting for the interview.
- flatten
to press something so that it becomes flat instead of round
文法句型
ball + object + up
ball + object
ball up + object
用法筆記
The phrasal verb form 'ball up' is more common than 'ball' alone when referring to crumpling paper or fabric. 'Ball one's fists' is a fixed expression meaning to curl the fingers inward in anger or tension.
常見錯誤
2. an extremely offensive slang word meaning to have sex with someone — this is one
an extremely offensive slang word meaning to have sex with someone — this is one of the strongest taboo words in English and should never be used in polite conversation.
The crude graffiti on the wall claimed someone had balled half the town, but nobody took it seriously.
example shows the word in reported/graffiti context rather than direct use
The comedian's joke about balling the farmer's daughter got more groans than laughs from the crowd.
Maja overheard one worker at the construction site boast that he had balled the foreman's wife.
The janitor scrubbed away graffiti that read 'Haruto balls Sora = forever' from the locker room wall.
文法句型
ball + someone
usually passive in literal sense
用法筆記
DO NOT use this word. It is one of the most offensive slang terms for sex in English. The standard neutral term is 'have sex with' or 'sleep with'. Even in very informal contexts, most English speakers would find this word crude and shocking. Included here for recognition only.
常見錯誤
3. an informal American word meaning to play basketball, especially in a casual or
an informal American word meaning to play basketball, especially in a casual or street-basketball setting rather than in an organised league.
Kwame and his friends ball at the outdoor court every Saturday afternoon.
intransitive use with location and frequency
After school, the teenagers headed to the park to ball until the lights came on.
Every summer, the neighbourhood kids ball at the community centre from morning to sunset.
Oliver asked his older brother to teach him how to ball like the players on TV.
- shoot hoops
an informal but widely understood phrase for playing basketball casually
- play basketball
the standard neutral expression understood by all English speakers
文法句型
ball (without object)
go balling
ball at [place]
用法筆記
This slang is mostly used by younger American speakers in casual contexts, especially in urban settings. Outside North America it may not be understood. The standard phrase is 'play basketball' or, informally, 'shoot hoops'.