ball shaped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ball shaped" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe objects that have a spherical or round form. An example is: "The toy is ball shaped, making it easy to roll." Alternative expressions include "spherical," "round," and "globular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The company started shipping an (almost) golf ball shaped USB mouse along with a mat resembling a green.

TechCrunch

Besides the larger objects there are also seen several small ball shaped objects in Fig. 7 (alerted by arrows).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Emma's father gave her "a ball shaped like a screaming baby face that actually cried when you threw it.

Huffington Post

There is a unique way to get to the mountain ridge and the huge, golf ball shaped Nato base.

Vice

They are held together in a cream-coloured, round, ball shaped egg sac which is about 12 mm in diameter.

Wikipedia

This is followed by a period (phase 2) in which chromosomes slide laterally over the ball shaped spindle apparatus, eventually congressing to form a 'prometaphase' belt around it.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For their efforts, Kvitova and Berdych were each awarded a tennis-ball shaped trophy encrusted with 250 diamonds.

The New York Times

One of these stones was ball-shaped while the other was perforated and may have been a mace or club.

Wikipedia

Ball-shaped robots present a novel and widely studied approach for mobile robotics.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The bag should be roughly ball-shaped.

WikiHow

Portion the dough into two and shape into two ball-shaped loaves.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ball shaped" to describe objects that are distinctly spherical or nearly spherical. Avoid using it for objects that are only generally round or have other prominent features.

Common error

Don't use "ball shaped" to describe objects that are simply round but not truly spherical. For example, a pancake is round, but flat, so "round" is more appropriate than "ball shaped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ball shaped" functions as a compound adjective. It modifies a noun by describing its form, indicating that it resembles a ball in its shape. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ball shaped" is a grammatically correct and frequently used compound adjective to describe objects resembling a ball in form. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is versatile and appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. While alternatives like "spherical" and "globular" exist, "ball shaped" provides a clear and accessible description, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use "ball shaped" for true spherical or near-spherical forms, and avoid it when simply indicating roundness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spherical

More formal and scientifically precise term for having the shape of a sphere.

globular

Describes something that is approximately spherical, often used in biology.

round

A more general term for a circular or spherical shape.

orbicular

A less common, more descriptive term for something that is disc-shaped or round.

globe-shaped

Emphasizes the three-dimensional, global aspect of the shape.

spheroid

Describes a shape that is nearly spherical but may be slightly elongated or flattened.

ovoid

Refers to an egg-shaped object, similar to a sphere but elongated.

globose

Botanical term meaning nearly spherical.

rounded

A simple adjective indicating a lack of sharp edges or corners, implying a ball-like form.

bulbous

Describes a round or bulging shape, often used for plant structures.

FAQs

How can I use "ball shaped" in a sentence?

You can use "ball shaped" to describe the form of an object. For example, "The ornament was "ball shaped" and made of glass."

What are some alternatives to "ball shaped"?

Depending on the context, you could use "spherical", "globular", or "round" as alternatives to "ball shaped".

Is it correct to say something is "ball shaped" or "ball's shape"?

"Ball shaped" is the correct adjectival phrase. "Ball's shape" would be used in a different grammatical context, such as "The object resembled the ball's shape".

What's the difference between "ball shaped" and "round"?

"Round" is a general term for circular forms, while "ball shaped" specifically implies a three-dimensional, spherical form. A plate is round, but a marble is "ball shaped".