spitball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal
Quick answer
What does “spitball” mean?
A small ball of chewed paper, historically used as a projectile.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small ball of chewed paper, historically used as a projectile; also to propose an idea informally without thorough analysis.
As a verb: to brainstorm ideas tentatively. As a noun: a crude, unrefined proposal; in baseball, a now-illegal pitch where the ball is altered with saliva or a foreign substance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun referring to the projectile is understood in both varieties but is archetypally an American schoolyard item. The brainstorming verb is slightly more common in American business/informal use.
Connotations
UK: May sound like an Americanism. The baseball meaning is primarily US. US: Stronger association with school mischief and informal business/political brainstorming.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts in both varieties. Higher frequency in US informal/business English.
Grammar
How to Use “spitball” in a Sentence
spitball [ideas/concepts/plans] (with someone)spitball [about/on] a topicLet's spitball.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spitball” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should get together and just spitball ways to improve the process.
- I'm just spitballing here, but what if we changed the venue?
American English
- The team spent the afternoon spitballing concepts for the new ad campaign.
- He spitballed a figure, but warned it wasn't based on deep analysis.
adjective
American English
- We came up with a few spitball ideas during the break.
- Don't quote that number—it's just a spitball calculation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meetings to encourage free, non-judgmental idea generation. 'Let's spitball some marketing angles.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing. May appear in informal discussion of research directions.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in the context of informal planning or reminiscing about school.
Technical
In baseball commentary/journalism, refers to the illegal pitch.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spitball”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spitball”
- Using it in formal writing. Confusing it with 'brainstorm' (which is more common and neutral). Using the noun to mean a well-researched proposal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is distinctly informal. Use 'brainstorm', 'propose tentatively', or 'hypothesize' in formal contexts.
Yes. Noun: 'a paper spitball' or 'that budget is a spitball'. Verb: 'to spitball ideas'.
'Brainstorm' is more common, neutral, and can be formal. 'Spitball' emphasizes the tentative, unpolished, and often playful nature of the suggestion.
It is specialist terminology within baseball. In general discourse, the 'idea' or 'projectile' meanings are far more common.
A small ball of chewed paper, historically used as a projectile.
Spitball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪt.bɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪt.bɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw a spitball”
- “a spitball figure (a rough estimate)”
- “a spitball idea”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a student making a SPITball to throw, and a thinker 'throwing out' an IDEA in the same careless way.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE PROJECTILES (thrown out carelessly); CREATIVE THINKING IS PLAYFUL/MISCHIEVOUS BEHAVIOUR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'spitball' LEAST likely to be appropriate?