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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.


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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

My hands ached from balling them so tightly.

From Literature

Mommy moaned, slapping her forehead, then balling her fists.

From Literature

I asked, balling my fists at my sides.

From Literature

At first, I thought someone had died in our family until I noticed Minerva eye- balling me as if to say, watch what you say, girl.

From Literature

“I am too old. Too old for you to do this to me,” Mariam said, balling up fistfuls of her dress so tightly her hands shook.

From Literature