Phrase 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.
No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
verb
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To pitch a curve ball.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To surprise; to introduce something unexpected or requiring a quick reaction or correction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the curve ball in baseball, where a spin is employed to adjust the path of the ball unexpectedly.
Across languages
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
