Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • interjection nonsense.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of ball.
  • noun slang The testicles.
  • noun slang Bravery, courage, chutzpah, or brazenness.
  • noun UK, slang Rubbish, nonsense.
  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of ball.
  • adverb slang Very. Intensifier.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word balls.

Examples

  • Now, a history lesson's useful enough if you're unfamiliar with the toxic atmosphere in Washington DC as the civil war ended, or if you go along with the story's foreshadowing of contemporary issues like military tribunals at Guantánamo Bay and the poisoned American polity of then and now, but as drama it entirely lacks a pulse or a soul or any of the qualities that we commonly associate with the term "balls".

    The Conspirator proves that Robert Redford should stick to Sundance 2011

  • Now, a history lesson's useful enough if you're unfamiliar with the toxic atmosphere in Washington DC as the civil war ended, or if you go along with the story's foreshadowing of contemporary issues like military tribunals at Guantánamo Bay and the poisoned American polity of then and now, but as drama it entirely lacks a pulse or a soul or any of the qualities that we commonly associate with the term "balls".

    The Conspirator proves that Robert Redford should stick to Sundance 2011

  • And yeh, who would trust you around a young girl, good heavens she may learn things like strength and independence and brains and pardon the term balls

    Lesbian vampire girls in corsets suck face, blood, hickeys and drinks Elizabeth McClung 2009

  • “No one has the balls to talk about it, and I want to be that person,” she explained, the word balls sounding out of place in her sweet-as-pie accent.

    Cheer! Kate Torgovnick 2008

  • “No one has the balls to talk about it, and I want to be that person,” she explained, the word balls sounding out of place in her sweet-as-pie accent.

    Cheer! Kate Torgovnick 2008

  • (A kick in the balls or arse would constitute this, and a kick in the balls is a well trodden part of humour) worth reading • Nora O'Neill at Bookshop Blog suggests using twitter to promote your bookstore.

    odds and ends 2009

  • Nowadays the lads and lasses go to what they call "balls" at some schoolroom, but they pay a shilling or so for their tickets and the affair is either someone's private "spec" or got up for a brass band or football club, and parties come from the neighbouring parishes.

    From the archive, 26 December 1903: A farmer's Christmas in the Dales 2011

  • (A kick in the balls or arse would constitute this, and a kick in the balls is a well trodden part of humour) worth reading • Nora O'Neill at Bookshop Blog suggests using twitter to promote your bookstore.

    Archive 2009-02-01 2009

  • An important thing to remember when rolling the dough into balls is to not use too much force or 'smush' the dough unnecessarily.

    Tender Sugar Cookies 2007

  • An important thing to remember when rolling the dough into balls is to not use too much force or 'smush' the dough unnecessarily.

    Archive 2007-12-01 2007

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • I had a babysitter who used to use this word as an exclamation to mean "nonsense!"

    May 15, 2007