orb

An orb is an object shaped like a sphere or globe.

We call most globe-shaped things balls or spheres. Orb is usually reserved for more poetic uses, or to convey a fantastical or sci-fi feel—a UFO might be described as an orb, for example.

Example: The movie shows the aliens traveling in an orb of light.

The first records of the word orb in English come from the early 1500s. It comes from the Latin word orbis, meaning “circle” or “disk.” This word is also the basis of the word orbit—though technically the orbits of most planets are elliptical (oval-shaped).

An orb is any three-dimensional spherical figure (though less commonly it can refer to a plain two-dimensional circle). The word is sometimes used as a more poetic way to refer to what we usually call celestial bodies or heavenly bodies—planets, moons, and stars (since they are all spheres). It can also refer specifically to Earth, and was formerly used to mean “orbit.” More strangely, orb is used as a fanciful word for the eyeball. (But do yourself a favor and don’t refer to your eyes as orbs.) Most commonly, it’s used in place of ball or sphere to be poetic or convey a mysterious or mystical aura, as in She saw a glowing orb rise from the field and knew it was a friendly spirit. 

More specifically, orb is the name of a symbol used in royal regalia that’s the form of a ball topped with a cross. It is used to symbolize royal power.

Much less commonly, orb can be used as a verb meaning “to shape into a sphere” or “to move in an orbit.”

What are some other forms related to orb?

• orbless (adjective)
• orblike (adjective)
• unorbed (adjective)

What are some synonyms for orb?

• ball
• sphere
• globe

What are some words that share a root or word element with orb? 

• orbit

What are some words that often get used in discussing orb?

• planet
• round
• shape
• glowing
• eyeball
• luminous

Orb can be used in many different ways to refer to spherical objects, but it is often used poetically as a fancier way of saying ball.

The great sky orb approaches its apex. Sunlight warms the scrolls of the prophets who foretold this day. The coming of Her Tweet is near.

— Matt Ford (@fordm) April 12, 2015

I hate wearing black because every tiny spec shows up like a glowing orb of light.

— Luke Korns (@LukeKorns) January 25, 2015

After the crown, the orb, made in 1661, was the most important piece of regalia. It is a globe of gold surrounded by a cross girdled by a band of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphire and pearls with a large amethyst at the summit. #Coronation65 pic.twitter.com/yLaQbg9Jca

— The Crown Chronicles (@crownchronicles) June 1, 2018

Is orb used correctly in the following sentence?

The abstract sculpture is formed from thousands of brightly colored orbs, perhaps intended to symbolize atoms or cells.