balling

American  

[baw-lin] / ˈbɔ lɪn /

Also ballin’,

verb

1. Slang. living a lavish, flashy, or extravagant lifestyle, especially spending freely while partying.

   It’s not fair that he’s out ballin’ in the club while she’s home taking care of their kids.

2. Informal. present participle of ball, in the sense of playing basketball.

   Y’all remember those summers we spent ballin on the court shooting threes?

3. Slang: Vulgar. present participle of ball, in the sense of having sexual intercourse.

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adjective

Slang.

1. lavish, flashy, or extravagant.

   He really doesn’t have the kind of money to keep up this balling lifestyle.

Etymology

Origin of balling

First recorded in 1660–70; ball ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ); 1990–95 balling for def. 2, ball ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ); 1960–65 balling for def. 3, ball ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The firm renamed it Tropicana Brands Group, balling up other beleaguered beverage properties too, and packed it full of debt.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Oklahoma City and the Cavs been balling for six months.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2025

Pedro Martinez Losa and co were balling directions at Chelsea Cornet in the midfield to sit that little bit deeper alongside Sam Kerr.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

“He’s balling, man. He’s showing some crazy stuff. He’s really developed,” offensive lineman Sam Cosmi said.

From Washington Times • Nov. 13, 2023

We spread them on the tables and folded them carefully, lining up the sleeves of the shirts and the seams on the pants and balling the paired-up socks.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls