foul ball
Americannoun
-
a batted ground ball that is hit and played outside the foul lines, or that passes outside the foul lines at first or third base, or that is played outside the foul line between home and first or third base regardless of where hit.
-
a batted fly ball played or landing outside the foul lines.
-
Slang. an incompetent, unlucky, or eccentric person.
Etymology
Origin of foul ball
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
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.
It’s the roaring opposite of lazy foul ball spring training.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
Kiké Hernández leaned into the stands on the second pitch to catch a foul ball.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
It’s gotten so bad that when we see an adult do the right thing and fork a foul ball over to a child, we’re practically nominating them for a Nobel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025
He’s suggested rethinking how the foul ball works or toying with the pitch clock to give a slightly longer break to pitchers.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2025
On the ride home Palmer held the foul ball in his own hands.
From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli
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.
