ball
/ˈbɔl/KK
變化形
balls
1.
球
通常為圓形、可用來玩運動或遊戲的物體。
用法：可數名詞。談論某一顆球時，通常要搭配冠詞或數量詞，如「一顆球」。
The children kicked a ball around the school playground after class.
孩子們下課後在學校操場上踢球。
Please pass me the ball so I can serve.
請把球傳給我，讓我可以發球。
2.
舞會
通常有正式服裝、音樂與跳舞活動的盛大社交聚會。
用法：可數名詞。常與修飾活動性質的名詞連用，如「畢業舞會」或「慈善舞會」。
Our school is holding a formal ball for students who will leave school in June.
我們學校將在六月為即將離校的學生舉辦一場正式舞會。
She bought a simple dress to wear to the school ball.
她買了一件簡單的洋裝，要穿去學校舞會。
3.
球狀物；球形部分
呈圓球狀的一團、一塊，或物品上的圓形部分。
用法：可數名詞。常見結構為「一團＋材料」或「把某物揉成一團」。
The cat played with a ball on the living room floor.
那隻貓在客廳地板上玩一顆球。
He made the paper into a ball and threw it away.
他把紙揉成一個球，然後把它丟掉。
4.
睪丸
男性或雄性動物生殖器官的一部分。
用法：通常以複數形式指兩個器官。這個意思可能令人尷尬或冒犯，應視場合謹慎使用。
The coach reminded the players to wear special underwear so they would not get hit in the balls.
教練提醒球員穿上特別的內褲，以免睪丸被打到。
The doctor asked whether his balls hurt or felt bigger than usual.
醫生問他的睪丸是否會痛，或是感覺比平常更大。
5.
勇氣；膽量
面對困難、危險或尷尬情況時所展現的膽量。
用法：此義最常用「有膽量做某事」的句型，且通常用複數。
It took real balls to say he was wrong in front of the whole class.
他敢在全班同學面前說自己錯了，真的很有膽量。
She had the balls to ask the manager for a fair answer.
她有勇氣請經理給她一個公平的答覆。
常見錯誤
She has a ball to ask the teacher.
She has the balls to ask the teacher.／She has the courage to ask the teacher.
We went to a dancing ball yesterday.
We went to a ball yesterday.／We went to a dance yesterday.
I like to play the ball.
I like to play ball.／I like playing basketball.
He played ball in the park with a ball.
He played with a ball in the park.
相關字詞
學習提示
・最常見的意思是「球」。若要說特定運動，通常直接用運動名稱，例如「打籃球」。
・「舞會」這個意思帶正式感，和一般朋友聚會的「派對」不同。
・「睪丸」與「勇氣」的用法都偏口語；後者可能顯得粗俗或具冒犯性，正式場合宜改用「勇氣」。