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curveball

noun curve·ball \ ˈkərv-ˌbȯl \
Updated on: 18 May 2018
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Definition of curveball

: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand
—

curveball

verb

See curveball defined for English-language learners

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

  1. The batter struck out on a curveball.

Recent Examples of curveball from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curveball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of curveball

1936

in the meaning defined above

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Phrases Related to CURVEBALL

Related Phrases

CURVEBALL Defined for English Language Learners

curveball

noun

Definition of curveball for English Language Learners

  • baseball : a pitch that is thrown with spin so that the ball curves in the air

Learn More about curveball

  1. See words that rhyme with curveball

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Examples: curveball in a Sentence