Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

balls

British  
/ bɔːlz /

plural noun

  1. the testicles

  2. so as to be rendered powerless

  3. nonsense; rubbish

  4. courage; forcefulness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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

They were pressing well, winning second balls, then passing forward and moving quickly.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

This fearless update takes its inspiration from the Harlem drag balls that provided a showcase for LGBTQ+ fabulosity.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

John's cue ball was pretty loose for him and Shaun missed too many easy balls.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

The truth is that besides launching majestic fly balls that soar into the deepest regions of the outfield stands, Murakami doesn’t do much else.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Bat started bouncing on the balls of his feet.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold