Ball the Sphere and Ball the Dance Are Different Words
A ball is a spherical object, and also a formal dance. The two have entirely separate origins.
A ball is a spherical object used in games, and also a formal social dance. The two are unconnected: the sphere is Old Norse *böllr*, while the dance comes from Greek *ballein*, to throw, through Latin *ballare*, to dance. That second root also gives *ballet*, *ballad* — originally a dancing song — and *ballistic*. *Have a ball* means to enjoy yourself, from the dance sense, so it is not about sport at all.
- A sphere. *A tennis ball.*
- A formal dance. *A masked ball.*
- Ballet — from the dance root. *Ballet.*
- Have a ball — enjoy yourself. *Have a ball.*
- Old Norse — *böllr*, a sphere. *One source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | ball | A ball. |
| Plural | balls | Balls. |
| Related | ballet | Ballet. |
| Related | ballad | A ballad. |
| Greek | ballein | To throw. |
- He kicked the ball over the wall.Sphere.
- They danced at the ball.Event.
- We had a ball.Idiom.
The dancing family
- Ball — a formal dance, from Latin *ballare*
- Ballet — a dance form, through Italian and French
- Ballad — originally a song to dance to
- Ballerina — a female ballet dancer
- Ballroom — the room for the dance
The sphere is from Old Norse *böllr*. The dance is from Latin *ballare*, to dance, from Greek *ballizein*.
Are the two balls related?
No. The sphere is Germanic; the dance comes through Latin from Greek, and gives ballet and ballad.
Why is a song called a ballad?
Because it was originally a song accompanying a dance, from the same root as ball and ballet.