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

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

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

The firm renamed it Tropicana Brands Group, balling up other beleaguered beverage properties too, and packed it full of debt.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

I wasn’t balling out of control, but I had some disposable income and idle time.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

Pedro Martinez Losa and co were balling directions at Chelsea Cornet in the midfield to sit that little bit deeper alongside Sam Kerr.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

Fifi and Yoyo clustered around Mami, balling up her skirt with holding on, Fifi wailing every time the big fat guard bent down for a goodbye kiss from her.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez