curveball
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of curveball
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
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.
Opposing batters knew that almost everything Soriano threw would be down in the zone, whether it was a sinker, splitter or curveball.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026
The Oscar for best short action film was announced by comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani, who took the curveball in his stride.
From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026
However, the developer threw a Ye-style curveball of his own in 2025, when he opted to list the partially completed home for $39 million, eventually reducing that price to $34.9 million.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026
In September, however, the same 6-3 majority threw another curveball.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025
Still, I knew that Major League pitching needed more than just speed; control and a good curveball had to be there too.
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
