speedball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowslang
Quick answer
What does “speedball” mean?
A slang term for a mixture of a stimulant and a depressant drug, typically cocaine and heroin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slang term for a mixture of a stimulant and a depressant drug, typically cocaine and heroin.
Informally, it can refer to a fast-pitched ball in sports like baseball or cricket, or to anything that is very fast or energetic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, but the drug-related meaning is more prevalent in American English due to cultural references.
Connotations
Generally negative, implying danger and illegality; in sports contexts, it is neutral but informal.
Frequency
More commonly used in American English, especially in urban or subcultural settings.
Grammar
How to Use “speedball” in a Sentence
[subject] took a speedballa speedball of [drug names]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speedball” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to speedball after the concert with his mates.
American English
- They speedballed at the club last weekend.
adjective
British English
- It was a proper speedball experience at the festival.
American English
- That turned into a real speedball kind of night.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used; avoided due to informal and negative connotations.
Academic
Rarely used except in discussions of drug abuse, pharmacology, or sociology.
Everyday
Used informally in contexts related to drugs, speed, or energetic activities.
Technical
In medical or law enforcement contexts, refers specifically to the drug mixture of stimulants and depressants.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speedball”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speedball”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speedball”
- Using 'speedball' in formal writing without proper context, or confusing it with literal sports terms.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal slang and should be used cautiously, especially in written or professional contexts.
Yes, it can informally refer to a fast-pitched ball in sports or anything very fast, but the drug-related meaning is more common in contemporary usage.
It is extremely dangerous due to the opposing effects of stimulants and depressants, increasing the risk of overdose, heart failure, or respiratory depression.
Learners should recognize it as slang, understand its primary drug-related connotation, and avoid using it in formal situations without clear context.
A slang term for a mixture of a stimulant and a depressant drug, typically cocaine and heroin.
Speedball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd.bɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd.bɑl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'speed' for fast and 'ball' for something round; in drugs, it's a mix that speeds you up and brings you down like a bouncing ball, highlighting the dangerous combination.
Conceptual Metaphor
MIXING OPPOSITES IS DANGEROUS, or SPEED IS UP, DEPRESSION IS DOWN, representing the conflicting effects of the drugs.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'speedball' primarily associated with in modern slang?