meatball
UK: ˈmiːtbɔːl | US: ˈmiːtbɔːl
n. a small, rounded mass of ground or minced meat, often seasoned and cooked
n. (informal) a clumsy or foolish person
The word "meatball" is a straightforward compound of "meat" (from Old English "mete," meaning "food" or "flesh") and "ball" (from Old Norse "bǫllr," meaning "round object"). The term emerged in English to describe a culinary creation—ground meat shaped into a sphere, likely influenced by European dishes like Italian polpette or Swedish köttbullar. The informal sense of "a clumsy person" humorously likens ineptness to the rolling, unsteady nature of a meatball.
She served spaghetti with homemade meatballs for dinner.
The chef rolled the meatball mixture into perfect spheres.
(Informal) Don’t be such a meatball—think before you act!
Frozen meatballs are a quick addition to weeknight meals.
The meatball sub is a popular sandwich at the deli.