Showing results for "balling"

• present participle of ball.

balling

American  

[baw-lin] / ˈbɔ lɪn /

Also ballin’,

verb

1. Slang. living a lavish, flashy, or extravagant lifestyle, especially spending freely while partying.

   It’s not fair that he’s out ballin’ in the club while she’s home taking care of their kids.

2. Informal. present participle of ball, in the sense of playing basketball.

   Y’all remember those summers we spent ballin on the court shooting threes?

3. Slang: Vulgar. present participle of ball, in the sense of having sexual intercourse.

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adjective

Slang.

1. lavish, flashy, or extravagant.

   He really doesn’t have the kind of money to keep up this balling lifestyle.

Etymology

Origin of balling

First recorded in 1660–70; ball ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ); 1990–95 balling for def. 2, ball ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ); 1960–65 balling for def. 3, ball ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balling

"It's all dog, all the time," he said of Roscoe's balling talents.

From Barron's ● May 10, 2026

The comment was disrespectful, said Ms Haley, who added that she could "feel my eyes balling up, and everything, just because it was just so deeply offensive in that moment".

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2025

“Ethan’s balling right now,” Foster said of his presumed starting quarterback.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2024

“I’m telling you!” she cried, balling up her fists.

From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2024

Her eyes fill, and she dabs at them with the kerchief she keeps balling in her hand.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez