# screwball

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskɹuːbɔːl/ · frequency rank #57,052

## Definitions
1. A pitch thrown with added pressure by the index finger and a twisting wrist motion resulting in a motion to the right when thrown by a right-handed pitcher.
2. One who behaves in a crazy manner.
3. A screwball comedy.

## Etymology
From screw + ball.
Compare typologically German Spinner (akin to spin). Also compare weirdo, weird (ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *wert-).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/screwball