balls

/ bɔːlz /

plural noun

1. the testicles

2. so as to be rendered powerless

3. nonsense; rubbish

4. courage; forcefulness

interjection

1. an exclamation of strong disagreement, contempt, annoyance, etc

Usage

Both its anatomical senses and its various extended senses nowadays have far less impact than they used to, and seem unlikely to cause offence, though some older or more conservative people may object. Interestingly, its use in the sense of courage is exactly paralleled in the Spanish term «cojones»

Example Sentences

John Roberts would simply be the umpire, calling balls and strikes, with no rooting interest — save the integrity of the Supreme Court.

Read more on Salon

They rank near the bottom of the major leagues in well-struck balls.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His other 23 outs: 11 ground balls, a fly ball, a foul out, and that pickoff.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Having looked at the stats, ironically Germany played more long balls than us in the game," he said.

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After Brian Statham hit him on the toe, he exaggerated the injury, limping between balls making it seem worse than it was.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• arrogance 
• audacity 
• boldness 
• gall