eight ball

noun

plural eight balls
1
: a black pool ball numbered 8
2
: misfit
3
: an eighth of an ounce of a drug (such as cocaine)
an eight ball of coke
Phrases
behind the eight ball
: in a highly disadvantageous position

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eight ball was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near eight ball

Cite this Entry

“Eight ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eight%20ball. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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