curveball

American  

[kurv-bawl] / ˈkɜrvˌbɔl /

Or curve ball

noun

Baseball.

1. a pitch with a downward spin that causes the ball to drop and veer as it approaches home plate, away from the side from which it was thrown.

   He started perfecting his curveball during his junior year in high school.

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Etymology

Origin of curveball

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

The curveball was that the adviser said he was taking a break from golf, but was seen on the course shortly after.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

Then left-hander Brennan Bernardino came on in relief and tied up a clearly frustrated Max Muncy with a curveball, striking him out and ending a scoreless inning with Freeman stranded on third.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Fans of former baseball star Ichiro Suzuki were thrown a curveball when a statue of him broke as it was being unveiled outside the home of the Seattle Mariners on Friday.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Yamamoto then let Gabriel Arias, the No. 8 hitter, get a hold of a curveball for a 407-foot home run to straightaway center field, his first this season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

I wind up like a pitcher and throw a curveball that doesn’t break.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

Related Words

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