(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, base~, foot~, basket~, and cricket.
...a golf ~.
...a tennis ~.
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ is something or an amount of something that has a round shape.
Thomas screwed the letter up into a ~...
They heard a loud explosion and saw a ~ of fire go up.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
3.
When you ~ something or when it ~s, it becomes round.
He picked up the sheets of paper, and ~ed them tightly in his fists...
His hands ~ed into fists...
VERB: V n adv/prep, V adv/prep
4.
The ~ of your foot or the ~ of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand.
N-COUNT: usu the N of n
5.
A ~ is a large formal social event at which people dance.
N-COUNT
6.
A man’s ~s are his testicles. (INFORMAL, RUDE)
N-COUNT: usu pl
7.
see also ~s
8.
If you say that the ~ is in someone’s court, you mean that it is his or her responsibility to take the next action or decision in a situation.
The ~’s now in your court–you have to decide what you’re going to do.
PHRASE: V inflects
9.
If you get the ~ rolling, set the ~ rolling, or start the ~ rolling, you start something happening.
He will go to the Middle East next week to get the ~ rolling again on peace talks...
PHRASE: V inflects
10.
If someone is on the ~, they are very alert and aware of what is happening.
She really is on the ~; she’s bought houses at auctions so she knows what she’s doing.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
11.
If someone refuses to play ~, they are unwilling to do what someone wants them to do. (INFORMAL)
The association has threatened to withdraw its support if the banks and building societies refuse to play ~.
PHRASE: V inflects