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“Ball” or “Bawl”

ball / bawl are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

ball b·AO·l

  • nounround object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games.
  • nounan object with a spherical shape.
  • nounthe people assembled at a lavish formal dance.
  • nouna spherical object used as a plaything.
  • nounUnited States comedienne best known as the star of a popular television program (1911-1989).
  • nouna compact mass.
  • nouna lavish dance requiring formal attire.
  • nouna more or less rounded anatomical body or mass.
  • nounthe game of baseball.
  • nouna pitch that is not in the strike zone.
  • verbform into a ball by winding or rolling.

bawl b·AO·l

  • verbshout loudly and without restraint.
  • verbcry loudly.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“ball”

  • …mother had a familiar called Ball, who appeared in the shape…
  • …the University of Illinois.1938 Beach ballA beach ball is an inflatable…
  • …objective is to land the ball on the ground within the…
  • Skee ball is similar to bowling except…
  • …2011, and was the Golden Ball winner in 2012.
  • The beach ball was invented in California by…
  • …pins to match the 6-inch ball.
  • Bush's inaugural ball.
  • Players alternate hitting ("volleying") the ball, up to three volleys per…
  • Robert Stawell Ball

“bawl”

No example sentences found for this spelling.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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