What does screwball mean?
Screwball is an informal word for an eccentric, unconventional, or mildly crazy person. It can be affectionate, as when someone describes a relative as a screwball, but it may also sound teasing or derogatory. The word comes from baseball, where a screwball is a pitch with reverse spin that moves sharply in the opposite direction to the pitcher's usual breaking ball. That sense of unexpected, unpredictable movement helped establish the figurative meaning. As an adjective, screwball describes an idea, plan, or behavior that is deliberately or unintentionally bizarre. It is understood in British and American English, although its sporting origin is particularly associated with American baseball. Because the term conveys eccentricity rather than serious mental illness, it is best used in informal contexts where mild humor or affectionate teasing is appropriate.
An eccentric, unconventional, or mildly crazy person; in baseball, a pitch thrown with reverse spin that breaks sharply opposite to the pitcher's natural curve.
"The new manager was a screwball who preferred an unconventional lineup."
Eccentric, unconventional, or crazy.
"They devised a screwball plan that somehow worked perfectly."
The standard plural of the noun, used for multiple eccentric people or, in baseball discourse, multiple screwball pitches.
"The team had several screwballs in its bullpen."
From a deceptive baseball pitch to a person who refuses to behave conventionally, screwball captures the idea of something startlingly offbeat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does screwball come from?
Screwball is a compound of the English words screw and ball. Its earliest use is associated with baseball, where it referred to a pitch whose unusual reverse spin made it move differently from an ordinary curveball. The figurative sense developed from the idea of someone behaving unpredictably or in an eccentric manner, especially during the early twentieth century. The related word screwballer denotes a pitcher who throws a screwball.
Related word forms
How screwball is actually used
As a noun, screwball is informal and often affectionate or humorous, though it can be mildly insulting depending on context. The adjective form is also informal and is especially common in speech.