hairball

American  

[hair-bawl] / ˈhɛərˌbɔl /

noun

1. a ball of hair accumulated in the stomach or intestines of a cat or other animal as a result of the animal's licking its coat.

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hairball British  

/ ˈhɛəˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a compact mass of hair that forms in the stomach of cats, calves, etc, as a result of licking and swallowing the fur, and causes vomiting, coughing, bloat, weight loss, and depression

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Etymology

Origin of hairball

First recorded in 1705–15; hair + ball ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hairball

His team having coughed up a hairball of a loss against rival USC, Mick Cronin returned to his Encino home Saturday night to find comfort in a furry companion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

The collection includes George Washington’s death announcement, a mummified cat and even a giant hairball.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2023

In dogs, hair normally passes easily through the digestive system, but this hairball was wrapped around a brillo pad that was too big to move through.

From Salon ● Nov. 30, 2022

Dear Amy: I work closely with a co-worker who constantly snorts, coughs, belches and hacks like a cat coughing up a hairball.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 3, 2022

I was spending more and more of my time arguing with my friends, and all because of that hairball.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman