ball of rice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ball of rice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, rounded portion of rice, often in the context of food or cooking. Example: "She shaped the sushi into a perfect ball of rice before adding the fish on top."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Now try this massive ball of rice! – while I gagged and retched.

The Guardian

Pizza slices, supplì (a fried ball of rice, tomato sauce, cheese and usually green peas) and, most amazing of all, roasted porchetta (pork) sandwiches are all things that are available from street vendors or small, closetlike storefront kitchens.

The New York Times - Travel

We finish with a soft pistachio cake with a little bright sorbet, and a deep-fried ball of rice pudding, which is such a stupidly obvious idea I have no idea why I haven't seen it before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wet your hands to stop the rice from sticking, then take a tangerine-sized ball of rice mixture and press your thumb in the centre to make a hollow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To most Japanese, rice balls, which are now sold in convenience stores, were traditionally a snack that mothers usually made by hand: a ball of rice, wrapped in seaweed with perhaps a red plum buried inside, to be eaten during a hiking trip or some other pleasant activity.

The New York Times

Across the hall, R. Blake Christy, an executive with the Bona Vita meatball company of Bridgeton, was offering samples of an arancini, a fist-sized fried ball of rice stuffed with chopped beef, peas and tomato sauce that, he hoped, might rival wings as America's next big finger food.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Pizzarium also sells excellent suppli' (fried balls of rice with fillings) and bread.

The Guardian - Travel

And while the iPhone has emoji for steaming bowls of ramen, balls of rice and cups of sake, there aren't any for common Western items like pizza.

The New York Times - Tech

The bento has humble beginnings, tracing back to twelfth-century Japanese farmers who used them to carry simple balls of rice into the fields.

The New Yorker

Look through the side door these days and you may well see Marco or Alessio shaping balls of rice into supplì.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Arancini (balls of rice mixed with aromatic sottocenere cheese) were addictive, hogging the spotlight from perfectly lovely wilted mustard greens with poached egg and nutty pesto — a dish that was at once tangy, mellow and sweet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific dish, consider using more descriptive terms like "arancini" or "onigiri" if appropriate. This provides more context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "ball of rice" when a more specific culinary term exists. For example, instead of "a ball of rice with seaweed", consider "onigiri".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ball of rice" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify a specific item, which is rice that has been formed into a spherical or rounded shape. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing food items like sushi and snacks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ball of rice" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe rice formed into a spherical or rounded shape. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency, it is readily understood and applicable in various contexts, predominantly in culinary descriptions and news articles. Consider employing more specific terms like "onigiri" or "arancini" when the context warrants it to provide richer information. In essence, "ball of rice" is a versatile term, though judicious use of more descriptive alternatives can enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rice ball

Reverses the order of words, still referring to the same food item, but sounds slightly more concise.

portion of rice

Focuses on the serving aspect rather than the shape.

serving of rice

Highlights the act of serving rice, differing from the shape.

mound of rice

Emphasizes the piled-up nature of the rice, similar in shape but with slightly different connotations.

scoop of rice

Suggests the method of serving, using a scoop to form the shape.

clump of rice

Implies a less defined, more naturally formed mass of rice.

dollop of rice

Suggests a small, less formal serving of rice.

rice dumpling

Focuses on the rice being enclosed within a wrap, creating a shape.

rice cake

Implies a different preparation method and texture compared to plain rice.

rice croquette

Refers to a fried rice ball, implying a different cooking method and ingredients.

FAQs

How can I use "ball of rice" in a sentence?

You can use "ball of rice" to describe a specific food item or a portion of rice shaped into a ball. For example: "She carefully shaped the "ball of rice" for the sushi."

What's a more specific term for "ball of rice" in Japanese cuisine?

In Japanese cuisine, a "ball of rice" is often called "onigiri" or "omusubi", which are rice balls typically wrapped in seaweed and sometimes filled with various ingredients.

What can I say instead of "ball of rice"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "rice ball", "portion of rice", or "serving of rice". If you're referring to a fried rice ball, "rice croquette" might be suitable.

Is "ball of rice" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ball of rice" is grammatically correct. It's a common noun phrase used to describe rice formed into a ball shape. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.