Standard Lemma guide
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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
adj
Crazy, offbeat, bizarre, zany, or weird.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: derogatory, informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A pitch thrown with added pressure by the index finger and a twisting wrist motion resulting in a motion to the right when thrown by a right-handed pitcher.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
One who behaves in a crazy manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, derogatory, informal
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A screwball comedy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adjective satellite
foolish; totally unsound
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: crazy, half-baked, softheaded
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a pitch with reverse spin that curves toward the side of the plate from which it was thrown
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: pitch, delivery
noun
a whimsically eccentric person
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: crackpot, crank, nut, nut case, fruitcake
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: eccentric, eccentric person, flake, oddball, geek
History
From screw + ball. Compare typologically German Spinner (akin to spin). Also compare weirdo and weird, from Old English wyrd (“fate”), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to turn, to spin”).
Across languages
14 source translations are retained for this English entry.
