free ball

[ free bawl ]

noun

1. a ball that is in play and is not in the possession of or under the control of any player.
2. Volleyball. a ball that is returned over the net with a bump or pass rather than a spike.
3. a penalty shot in snooker in which the player may choose any ball as their target, or the ball chosen for this shot.

verb (used without object)

, Slang: Vulgar.

1. to wear pants, shorts, a skirt, etc., with no underwear: originally in reference to a person's testicles not being secured by an undergarment.
2. to attempt or execute a task without preparation, guidance, etc.; improvise:

   I didn't stick too close to the deck plans, I'm kind of just freeballing and taking ideas from other builds.

   I have no idea what to write, so I'll just free ball for a few paragraphs.

verb (used with object)

, Slang: Vulgar.

1. to attempt or execute (a task) without preparation, guidance, etc.; improvise:

   I wish I was creative enough to freeball my own LEGO designs.

   The elevator was broken, so we had to free ball getting the desk down three flights of narrow stairs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of free ball¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

As soon as the band is twisted, the free ball is grasped in the hand, then both are released at once.

From Project Gutenberg