hairball

American  

[hair-bawl] / ˈhɛərˌbɔl /

noun

1. a ball of hair accumulated in the stomach or intestines of a cat or other animal as a result of the animal's licking its coat.

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hairball British  

/ ˈhɛəˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a compact mass of hair that forms in the stomach of cats, calves, etc, as a result of licking and swallowing the fur, and causes vomiting, coughing, bloat, weight loss, and depression

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Etymology

Origin of hairball

First recorded in 1705–15; hair + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Munch, a friendly, purple-ish hairball of a creature, was once the anchor of Chuck E. Cheese’s Make Believe Band.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2025

The collection includes George Washington’s death announcement, a mummified cat and even a giant hairball.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2023

Then one day Scout vomited up a hairball — but not just any hairball.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2022

Dear Amy: I work closely with a co-worker who constantly snorts, coughs, belches and hacks like a cat coughing up a hairball.

From Washington Post • Jul. 3, 2022

The little Human looked like he was about to cough up a hairball.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth