What does blackball mean?
Blackball functions as both a noun and a verb with origins in an old method of secret voting. In clubs and societies, members voted on candidates by dropping balls into a container: white balls signified approval and black balls signified rejection. A single black ball — the noun — was often enough to deny admission, which gave rise to the verb: to blackball someone is to vote them down or, by extension, to exclude or ostracize them altogether. Today the word survives mainly in this figurative sense, describing informal but effective exclusion from social circles, professional opportunities, or organizations. It carries connotations of secrecy and collective hostility, suggesting decisions made behind closed doors rather than openly justified. The word appears frequently in writing about elite clubs, industries, and communities where reputations can be quietly destroyed. Related terms include blacklist and ostracize, all conveying deliberate exclusion.
A small black ball used as a token in voting, especially to indicate opposition to a candidate's admission to a club or society.
"When the votes were counted, there were three black balls among the whites."
This literal sense is now chiefly historical, associated with traditional club elections.
To vote against someone's admission to a group; more broadly, to exclude or ostracize a person socially or professionally.
"The board blackballed him from every major tender in the region."
The plural refers to multiple instances of the literal voting token, now rare; the verb form 'blackballs' is third-person singular present.
"The urn contained several black balls alongside the white ones."
In old club votes, white balls meant you were in and one black ball could keep you out — that's why we still say someone was 'blackballed.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blackball
Blackball derives from the combination of 'black' and 'ball', referring to the black balls used in club ballots from around the 17th century, where a black ball signaled a vote against admitting a candidate. The verb sense developed directly from this practice. The broader figurative meaning of social exclusion followed naturally. It shares its descriptive roots with other 'black' compounds like blacklist and blackleg.
How blackball is actually used
The verb is somewhat formal and slightly old-fashioned in tone, though still used in journalism about exclusive institutions. It carries a negative connotation of secretive or arbitrary exclusion. The literal voting sense (the noun) is now largely historical.
Easily confused with blackball
Blackmail is the act of extorting money or compliance through threats, whereas blackball means voting against or excluding someone from a group.