meatball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral for food; informal/slang for a person.
Quick answer
What does “meatball” mean?
A small ball of ground or minced meat, typically seasoned and cooked.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small ball of ground or minced meat, typically seasoned and cooked.
Informally, a foolish, clumsy, or gullible person; also refers to the general dish featuring such balls of meat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dish 'spaghetti and meatballs' is more culturally iconic in the US. The slang meaning for a foolish person is more common and recognized in American English.
Connotations
In the US, the slang is well-established, though mildly old-fashioned. In the UK, the term is overwhelmingly associated with food, with the slang usage being a recognized but less frequent Americanism.
Frequency
The word is common in both varieties, but the frequency of the slang usage is significantly higher in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “meatball” in a Sentence
Countable noun, often plural: 'make [some] meatballs', 'serve [the] meatballs [with sauce]'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meatball” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- meatball sandwich
- meatball marinara
American English
- meatball sub
- meatball hero
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like restaurant menus, food manufacturing, or marketing.
Academic
Very rare, except in specific historical or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Very common, especially in domestic and culinary contexts.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meatball”
- Using it as an uncountable noun (*'I love meatball') instead of countable ('I love meatballs').
- Confusing it with 'meatloaf', which is a baked loaf of minced meat.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the individual items of food. However, when referring to the dish or substance in a more general sense, it can be used uncountably (e.g., 'There's too much meatball in this sauce'), though this is less common.
A meatball is a sphere, usually containing breadcrumbs, egg, and herbs, and is often simmered in sauce. A burger patty is a flatter disc, typically just seasoned meat, and is grilled or fried to be served in a bun.
It is derogatory and can be offensive, but its tone is often more humorous or mildly contemptuous rather than strongly insulting. Context is key.
Yes, products made from plant-based proteins, lentils, or mushrooms are commonly marketed as 'vegetarian meatballs' or 'vegan meatballs', though purists might object to the term.
A small ball of ground or minced meat, typically seasoned and cooked.
Meatball is usually neutral for food; informal/slang for a person. in register.
Meatball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtbɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtbɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Spaghetti and meatballs (a classic dish)”
- “Meatball surgery (slang for rapid, unsophisticated emergency surgery)”
- “Drop a meatball (to make a clumsy error)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ball made entirely of MEAT – it's simply a MEATBALL.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIMPLE/UNSOPHISTICATED IS A MEATBALL (e.g., 'a meatball solution').
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, calling someone a 'meatball' typically implies they are: