Standard Lemma guide

curveball

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A forespin pitch thrown by rotating the index and middle fingers down and resulting in motion down "curve"

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • He bit on a curveball in the dirt.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: curve, deuce, yakker

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An unexpected turn of events initiated by an opponent or chance; an exception or outlier.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, broadly

Examples

  • Life has thrown him a few curveballs.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: twist

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To throw a curveball.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From curve + ball.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: llançament de corba — pitch in baseball
  • French: balle courbe — pitch in baseball
  • German: Curveball — pitch in baseball
  • Japanese: カーブボール (kābubōru) — pitch in baseball
  • Korean: 커브볼 (keobeubol) — pitch in baseball
  • Polish: podkręcona piłka — pitch in baseball
  • Portuguese: bola curva — pitch in baseball
  • Spanish: bola curva — pitch in baseball
  • Spanish: ajuaishte — pitch in baseball
  • Polish: zwrot — unexpected turn of events
  • Spanish: algo inesperado — unexpected turn of events
  • Spanish: algo no anticipado — unexpected turn of events