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

The choice of balls they used was telling, with Cummins steaming in with a pink ball and Hazlewood more reserved with a red one.

Read more on Barron's

But thankfully, no raining ping-pong balls made an appearance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Archaeologists have recovered thousands of clay-fired cooking balls and materials brought from faraway regions, such as quartz crystal from Arkansas, soapstone from the Atlanta area, and copper ornaments originating near the Great Lakes.

Read more on Science Daily

He had just bagged a pair, facing only 11 balls in the match.

Read more on BBC

Their physicality, ability to win second balls, and commitment to running off the ball and arrive in dangerous areas were key to them getting an impressive win.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• arrogance 
• audacity 
• boldness 
• gall