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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Ball Definition: Sports & Dance Party Uses (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：spherical plaything (ball)

ball 🔊

/bɔːl/

A round object that you play games with, like kicking or throwing.

Bright soccer ball on green grass field under blue sky

spherical plaything 🔊

➕

/ˈsfɛrɪkəl ˈpleɪθɪŋ/

A solid or inflated spherical object used in various sports and games, typically made of leather, rubber, or plastic.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From OE 'beallu' (sphere) and French 'bal' (dance), from PIE 'bhel-' (to swell).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a round ball bouncing, and a ballroom full of dancers twirling.

📖 Example

He kicked the ball past the goalie and into the net. 🔊 He kicked the ball past the goalie and into the net.

🔗 Collocations

kick a ball – to strike a ball with the foot

throw a ball – to propel a ball through the air with the hand

catch a ball – to intercept and hold a ball in the hands

🔄 Synonyms

sphere (n.) – a round geometric shape, perfectly symmetrical in three dimensions

globe (n.) – a spherical representation of the Earth or any round object

orb (n.) – a spherical object, often used in poetic or formal contexts

🚫 Antonyms

cube (n.) – a three-dimensional square object with flat faces and right angles

🌱 Derivatives

ballpark (n.) – a field or stadium where baseball or other ball games are played

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'ball' has two origins: from Old Norse 'böllr' (sphere) for the object; from Medieval French 'bal' (dance) for the formal event, from Latin 'ballare'.

Meaning 2：formal dance party (ball)

ball 🔊

/bɔːl/

A big, fancy party where people dance, especially to celebrate something like graduation.

Elegant couple dancing in grand ballroom with chandeliers

formal dance party 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməl dæns ˈpɑːrti/

A large formal social event where people dance, often held to celebrate a special occasion such as a graduation, debut, or charity fundraiser.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She spent weeks looking for the perfect dress for the graduation ball. 🔊 She spent weeks looking for the perfect dress for the graduation ball.

🔗 Collocations

attend a ball – to go to a formal dance event

host a ball – to organize and hold a formal dance party

masquerade ball – a ball where guests wear masks and costumes

🔄 Synonyms

gala (n.) – a festive social gathering, often with dancing and entertainment

prom (n.) – a formal dance party for high school students, typically at the end of the academic year

soiree (n.) – an evening party or social gathering, often with music or dancing

🚫 Antonyms

meeting (n.) – a gathering for discussion or work, not for entertainment

conference (n.) – a formal meeting for discussion or exchange of information, not a dance event

🌱 Derivatives

ballroom (n.) – a large room designed for formal dancing

ballerina (n.) – a female ballet dancer (etymologically related to 'ball' through dance)