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 comment was disrespectful, said Ms Haley, who added that she could "feel my eyes balling up, and everything, just because it was just so deeply offensive in that moment".

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2025

Oklahoma City and the Cavs been balling for six months.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2025

“I’m telling you!” she cried, balling up her fists.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2024

One minute the boy was balling a baloney sandwich in his fist, and the next minute he was darting into the dining room, snatching a piece of lasagna out of the bus tub.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman