curveball

noun

curve·​ball ˈkərv-ˌbȯl 

: 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

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a curveball.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another instrument, the Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter, has collected data that has thrown New Horizon’s team a curveball, Brandt said. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Xavier right-hander Ryan Piech (7) comes from a high slot, getting some ride on a 90-94 mph fastball, with a little curveball and changeup. — Keith Law, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Lord has natural ability to spin the baseball, and has gone from throwing a high-spin slurvy breaking ball to showing a more distinct slider and curveball. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

With men on first and second against Andrew Alvarez (2-3), Rice hit a drive on the fourth straight curveball from Alvarez that center fielder Dylan Crews was unable to catch while slamming into the wall. — CBS News, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing curveball

• throw (someone) a curve/curveball

Rhymes for curveball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol