lob

¹

[ lob ]

verb (used with object)

, lobbed, lob·bing.

1. Tennis. to hit (a ball) in a high arc to the back of the opponent's court.
2. to fire (a missile, as a shell) in a high trajectory so that it drops onto a target.
3. Cricket. to bowl (the ball) with a slow underhand motion.
4. to throw (something) slowly in an arc.

verb (used without object)

, lobbed, lob·bing.

1. Tennis. to lob a ball.

noun

1. Tennis. a ball hit in a high arc to the back of the opponent's court.
2. Cricket. a ball bowled with a slow underhand motion.
3. British Dialect. a slow, heavy, dull-witted person.

lob

²

[ lob ]

noun

1. lobworm.

lob

¹

/ lɒb /

noun

1. short for lobworm

lob

²

/ lɒb /

noun

1. a ball struck in a high arc
2. cricket a ball bowled in a slow high arc

verb

1. to hit or kick (a ball) in a high arc
2. informal.
   to throw, esp in a high arc

Other Words From

• lobber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lob¹

1325–75; in earlier sense, to behave like a lob ( Middle English lobbe, lob bumpkin, clumsy person, originally pollack; Old English: spider; basic sense, something pendulous); cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch lobbe dangling part, stockfish, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lob¹

C17 (in the sense: pendulous object): related to lob ¹

Origin of lob²

C14: probably of Low German origin, originally in the sense: something dangling; compare Middle Low German lobbe hanging lower lip, Old English loppe spider

Example Sentences

Mack displayed unselfishness in the first half with a lob to forward William Kyle III for a thunderous dunk that enlivened the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

The crowd buzzed with each possession, a Wembanyama dunk off a lob getting a roar on one end.

From Los Angeles Times

A constant lob threat, Mara could flourish in the pick and roll and has developed a variety of moves around the basket including jump hooks and drop steps.

From Los Angeles Times

So, when the game started and Harden found Powell for a basket, then found Zubac running down the lane for a pass that led to two free throws and then found Terance Mann for a lob dunk, the Clippers knew once again that the ball was in the right man’s hands.

From Los Angeles Times

He had to see off two break points in the 12th game, showing his joy and relief by falling to his back on the court when Khachanov put a lob wide on championship point.

From BBC

Related Words

• flip
• hurl
• loft