Definition

A player in baseball who specializes in throwing a type of pitch called a knuckleball, which is known for its unpredictable movement.

Example

The knuckleballer surprised everyone with his unique pitching style during the game.

Conversation

Did you see that game last night?

Yeah, it was awesome! I can't believe the knuckleballer struck out so many batters.

I know, right? His knuckleball was really unpredictable.

Totally! It's always exciting to watch a good knuckleballer in action.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Knuckleballer is formed from "knuckle" (from Old English *cnucol*, meaning a joint of the finger) and "baller" (from the word "ball" combined with the suffix "-er", meaning a person who plays with a ball). The term refers to a baseball pitcher who throws a knuckleball, a type of pitch that is difficult to hit due to its unpredictable movement, much like the unpredictable nature of a knuckle joint.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'knuckle' as a joint in your finger that can move in unexpected ways, and a 'baller' as someone who plays with a ball — a knuckleballer is a pitcher who throws a ball in an unpredictable manner.

Visually Confused Words