French word

ballon

Pronunciation

IPA/balɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounball

Example

Il a donné un coup de pied dans le ballon.

He kicked the ball.

Illustration for ballon (ball)

More examples

Elle a gonflé un ballon pour la fête.

She inflated a balloon for the party.

Core concept

A rounded inflatable object made to be kicked, thrown, or passed in a game.

Common phrases

  • jouer au ballon

    play with a ball

  • ballon de foot

    soccer ball

  • ballon d'anniversaire

    birthday balloon

Similar words

balle: A small ball that bounces well and is used with the hands or equipment.

Definition in French

Objet sphérique ou ovale, généralement gonflé d'air, utilisé pour jouer ou dans des sports collectifs.

Word origin

The French noun ballon developed from Italian ballone, formed from palla with an augmentative ending and linked to Latin pila and palla.

Usage tips

  • French distinguishes ballon for many large sports balls from balle for many smaller balls, so English ball does not always map to one noun.

Other meanings

  • balloonnoun

Word lists with this word