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The Science of Curveballs

Video vocabulary

become

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US / bɪ'kʌm /

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To begin to be; grow to be; develop into
  • To be suitable for a particular job or role

slow

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US / sləʊ /

UK / sloʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Lacking activity, busyness or excitement
  • (Clock) showing time earlier than the actual time
  • Having difficulty understanding simple things
  • Moving or happening without speed; not fast
  • verb
  • To move, with less speed than before
  • To move or go without much speed

smooth

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US / smu:ð /

UK / smuð /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Moving without stops and starts
  • Pleasant and flat to touch, not rough
  • Being free from problems or difficulties
  • verb
  • To make something rough feel flat, e.g. by ironing
  • To spread a substance over a surface

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

towards

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US / tə'wɔ:dz /

UK / 'təuədz, twɔ:dz /

A1
  • preposition
  • In the direction of someone or something

roughen

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US / ˈrʌfn /

UK / ˈrʌfn /

B1
  • verb
  • To make something less smooth

effect

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US / ɪ'fekt /

UK / ɪˈfɛkt /

A1
  • noun
  • An advantage, benefit
  • Change brought about by a cause; result

aussie

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US / ˈɔ:si /

UK / ˈɔsi, ˈɔzi /

A1
  • adjective
  • Australian.
  • noun
  • A person from Australia.

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

quite

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US / kwaɪt /

UK / kwaɪt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not very; fairly
  • Very; In a complete or total manner

themselves

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US / ðəmˈselvz /

UK / ðɛmˈsɛlvz, ðəm- /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Reflexive form of 'they'

angle

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US / ˈæŋgl /

UK / ˈæŋɡəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Place where two lines or surfaces meet

magnus

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US / ˈmægnəs /

UK / /

A1

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

give

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US / ɡɪv /

UK / ɡɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • Degree of flexibility in something, a material
  • verb
  • To hand over or present something to someone
  • To cause someone to have or experience something

scuff

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US / skʌf /

UK / skʌf /

C2
  • noun
  • Mark on a surface by rubbing something rough on it
  • verb
  • To mark shoes, etc. by rubbing with something rough

axis

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US / ˈæksɪs /

UK / ˈæksɪs /

B1
  • noun
  • A line about which a rotating body turns

exactly

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US / ɪgˈzæktli /

UK / ɪɡˈzæktli /

A1
  • adverb
  • No more and no less than; precisely

flow

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US / fləʊ /

UK / flo /

A2
  • noun
  • Amount of something that moves through an area
  • verb
  • To move steadily and easily in a certain direction

separate

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US / 'sepəreɪt /

UK / 'sepəreɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being different from or unrelated to another
  • verb
  • To divide two things by being in between them
  • To live away from your husband or wife
  • To move things away from each other

someone

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US / ˈsʌmwʌn /

UK / ˈsʌmˌwʌn, -wən /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person who is not known or named

toss

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US / tɒs /

UK / tɔ:s /

B1
  • verb
  • To throw something into the air, e.g. casually

fairly

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US / 'feəlɪ /

UK / ˈfɛrli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Quite; pretty; between very and a little
  • In a manner that is right and acceptable

side

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US / saɪd /

UK / saɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition to the central or most important thing
  • Next to, or very close to, the right or left of
  • noun
  • Position or opinion that is opposite to another
  • Right or left part of a person's body
  • Feature of someone's personality
  • Straight edge of an object
  • One of two or more groups fighting each other
  • verb
  • To decide to agree with one point, not the other

either

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US / ˈaɪðə(r) /

UK / ˈiðɚ, ˈaɪðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One of two (used when there is a choice of two)
  • adverb
  • (After negative statements) likewise, in addition
  • conjunction
  • Used as the first of two connected things
  • determiner
  • Used as the first of two connected things
  • pronoun
  • The one or the other

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

A1
  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing

dramatically

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US / drə'mætɪklɪ /

UK / drəˈmætɪkl:ɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a sudden or extreme manner

sure

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US / ʃʊə(r) /

UK / ʃʊr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having no doubts about something
  • Have confidence in your own words or actions
  • Firmly established or held; being firm or stable
  • Being correct or true
  • adverb
  • What you say to agree willingly

use

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US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

rough

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US / rʌf /

UK / rʌf /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Causing or involving violence, force, and harm
  • (Of situations) tough; difficult to get through
  • Being imprecise, inexact, and not detailed
  • Not gentle or not soft
  • Having an uneven or not smooth surface
  • Raw and natural
  • (Of sea weather etc.) not calm with strong winds
  • Involving or causing sudden, forceful movements
  • adverb
  • In a manner that is difficult, or violent
  • noun
  • Violent, loud, and unpleasant person
  • Incomplete drawing or draft done lacking detail
  • verb
  • To make something less smooth

stick

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US / stɪk /

UK / stɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • Long thin piece of wood from a tree
  • verb
  • To push a sharp or pointed object into something
  • To join together using glue or paste
  • To remain in one place or position for a long time

always

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US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

A1
  • adverb
  • For a very long time
  • At all times; in every situation
  • For ever

spinning

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US / ˈspɪnɪŋ /

UK / ˈspɪnɪŋ /

B1
  • verb
  • To make a ball rotate when throwing it
  • To feel dizzy / confused / light headed
  • To convert material such as cotton into thread
  • To move something in a rapid turning motion

shot

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US / ʃɒt /

UK / ʃɑt /

A2
  • noun
  • An attempt to kick or throw a ball at a goal
  • verb
  • To kick or throw a ball at a goal
  • To fire a gun; injure or kill someone with a gun
  • To (cause to) fly away forcefully
  • To use a camera to record a film/take a photograph

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)

like

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US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • Men, Women, Children

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said

everywhere

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US / ˈevriweə(r) /

UK / ˈevriwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • Every place

right

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Correct or true
  • The south side of you looking at the rising sun
  • adverb
  • Exactly in a place or time
  • Being appropriate for a particular event
  • In a straight or direct manner
  • noun
  • Something you are legally or morally allowed to do
  • Ideal of what is just and good
  • Political view based on conservatism
  • verb
  • To fix something previously wrong or unjust
  • To make upright, as a boat that has turned over

swing

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US / swɪŋ /

UK / swɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • Movement in a curved motion
  • Flowing, curved movement, e.g. of the arm
  • A back and forth motion, while hanging
  • Change in opinion or theme
  • Outdoor seat that hangs by two ropes, or chains
  • verb
  • To move something in a back and forth motion
  • To move in a back and forth motion, while hanging
  • To change opinion or mood, usually quickly

hard

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US / hɑ:d /

UK / hɑː(r)d /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Difficult to do; difficult to understand
  • (Of facts) not able to be misunderstood; clear
  • (Of alcohol) strong
  • Involving or requiring lots of work, effort, care
  • Being full of pain, trouble, and problems
  • Strong
  • (Of edge) clear; sharp
  • Difficult to bend, break or cut; solid
  • adverb
  • With lots of force, power, or impact

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 1st; Coming before all others in time or place
  • noun
  • Something that has not happened before
  • Position of the winner of a competition

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

obvious

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US / ˈɒbviəs /

UK / ˈɑbviəs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Easily understood and clear; plain to see

down

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US / daʊn /

UK / daʊn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being sad, sick, or unhappy
  • Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
  • adverb
  • In a sitting or lying position
  • Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
  • Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
  • noun
  • A period of play in American Football
  • The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
  • preposition
  • Along something's path, course, or direction
  • Going from a higher position to a lower position
  • verb
  • To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

during

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US / ˈdjʊərɪŋ /

UK / ˈdʊrɪŋ, ˈdjʊr- /

A1
  • preposition
  • At some point in the course of an event or thing

force

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US / fɔ:s /

UK / fɔrs, fors /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of persons trained for military action; army
  • Pressure; attraction
  • The use of physical strength/violence to persuade
  • verb
  • To use physical strength or violence to persuade

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

ball

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US / bɔ:l /

UK / bɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • Large dance where people dress formally
  • Small round object often used in a game or sport

cause

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US / kɔ:z /

UK / kɔz /

A2
  • noun
  • Belief, goal or organization that people support
  • Reason for
  • verb
  • To make something happen; create effect or result

deflect

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US / dɪ'flekt /

UK / dɪˈflɛkt /

B2
  • verb
  • To cause to turn in a different direction
  • To prevent or avoid something having an effect on

case

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US / keɪs /

UK / kes /

A1
  • noun
  • Container used to carry things, e.g. clothes
  • Set of facts about a crime
  • Set of facts about an event
  • Example or instance of something
  • verb
  • To find out about a place, as in planning to steal

yeah

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US / jeə /

UK / ˈjɛə, ˈjæə, jɛ- /

A1
  • exclamation
  • Another way of saying 'yes'

curve

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US / kə:v /

UK / kɚv /

A2
  • noun
  • Smooth rounded line that is not straight
  • verb
  • To make something bend into a rounded shape

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

show

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US / ʃəʊ /

UK / ʃo /

A1
  • noun
  • False display of love, emotion or action
  • An event for displaying or promoting goods
  • Play, opera or theater production
  • Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
  • verb
  • To be easily seen or displayed
  • To display your emotions or feelings
  • To let someone see something; display
  • To explain or teach how something is done
  • To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
  • To prove something to be true, correct
  • To reveal or allow something to be seen

april

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US / ˈeɪprəl /

UK / ˈeɪprəl /

A1
  • noun
  • 4th month of the year
  • Person's name

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Which person
  • Used to introduce information about people

glue

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US / ɡlu: /

UK / ɡlu /

B1
  • noun
  • Sticky substance used for joining things together
  • verb
  • To join or affix things with glue or paste

string

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US / strɪŋ /

UK / strɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • A line of connected objects
  • Thick thread; thin rope
  • verb
  • To tie or connect things together with a thread

surreptitiously

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US / ˌsʌrəp'tɪʃəslɪ /

UK / ˌsʌrəp'tɪʃəslɪ /

C1
  • adverb
  • Secretly so as to avoid being noticed

direction

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US / də'rekʃn /

UK / dɪˈrɛkʃən, daɪ- /

A2
  • noun
  • When someone tells people what to do
  • Describes the way you are going, e.g. North

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to emphasize the amount of something
  • noun
  • Particular aspect of something being thought about
  • One of various choices that could be made
  • Particular existing condition or state
  • (Often long) distance or length of time
  • How something is done
  • Route to go to a place
  • Small street
  • Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

oppose

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US / əˈpəʊz /

UK / əˈpoʊz /

A2
  • verb
  • To fight against someone in a contest or game

bit

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US / bɪt /

UK / bɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
  • Small piece of something
  • verb
  • (E.g. of fish) to take bait and be caught

discover

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US / dɪˈskʌvə(r) /

UK / dɪˈskʌvɚ /

A2
  • verb
  • To find something new that was not known before

take

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US / teɪk /

UK / tek /

A1
  • noun
  • Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
  • verb
  • To accept something that is offered
  • To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
  • To use a camera to make (a photo)
  • To pick up something and go away with it
  • To study a subject in school
  • To attempt to pass (an exam)
  • To require a certain amount of time, money, space

spot

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US / spɒt /

UK / spɑt /

A2
  • noun
  • A certain place or area
  • A difficult time; awkward situation
  • Place or ranking on a list
  • A small amount of (substance help hard work etc.)
  • Mark caused by a drop of liquid, food, etc.
  • verb
  • To see someone or something by chance

encounter

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US / ɪn'kaʊntə(r) /

UK / ɛnˈkaʊntɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • A chance meeting; unexpected or unplanned meeting
  • verb
  • To come up against a problem or trouble; meet
  • To meet someone or something unexpectedly

spin

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US / spɪn /

UK / spɪn /

B1
  • noun
  • A dizzy feeling your head is turning around
  • A slant or hidden purpose, as in politicians' talk
  • A movement in a rapid turning motion
  • verb
  • To make a ball rotate when throwing it
  • To feel dizzy/confused, as in my head is spinning
  • To convert material such as cotton into thread
  • To move something in a rapid turning motion

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1

other

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US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to compare two things that are not equal

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

little

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US / 'lɪtl /

UK / ˈlɪtl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being short in length of time
  • Not great in size, amount, or degree; small
  • Being very young or younger than others
  • adverb
  • By an amount or degree that is not very much
  • Not often; rarely
  • noun
  • A person's name

person

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US / 'pɜ:sn /

UK / 'pɜ:rsn /

A1
  • noun
  • Man, woman or child

let

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US / let /

UK / lɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To allow someone to do something
  • Introducing a suggestion to do something together
  • To rent a house, etc. to others

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

play

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US / pleɪ /

UK / pleɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Loose, free movement between two objects
  • Single action in a sports game
  • Performance in which people act in a theater
  • verb
  • To act as a character in a movie, or on stage
  • To perform music on an instrument
  • To use a device, e.g. a video game
  • To do something for enjoyment and fun
  • To do or perform a game or sport

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

symmetrical

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US / sɪˈmetrɪkl /

UK / sɪˈmɛtrɪkəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Having parts that are exactly the same

word

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US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of language that has a meaning
  • Promise
  • Short remark or piece of information
  • verb
  • To express something by choosing particular words

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition; too; in a similar way

how

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US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

therefore

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US / ˈðeəfɔ:(r) /

UK / ˈðerfɔ:(r) /

A1
  • adverb
  • And so; for that reason

vertical

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US / ˈvɜ:tɪkl /

UK / ˈvɜ:rtɪkl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a line, etc.) going up and down; not horizontal

year

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US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

opposite

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US / ˈɔpəzit /

UK / ˈɑpəzɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being totally different from
  • noun
  • Person, thing that is totally different to another
  • preposition
  • Across from or on the side facing something

make

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US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

angling

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US / ˈæŋglɪŋ /

UK / ˈæŋɡlɪŋ /

B1
  • noun
  • Fishing with a hook and line (and usually a pole)

large

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US / lɑ:dʒ /

UK / lɑ:rdʒ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Big; of great size; broad, tall, wide, or fat

magic

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US / 'mædʒɪk /

UK / ˈmædʒɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or involving tricks for entertainment
  • Being able to produce good results or success
  • noun
  • Attractive, appealing, and exciting quality
  • Performance of tricks for entertainment
  • Special ability or skill that causes success
  • Use of the supernatural to make things happen

anybody

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US / ˈenibɒdi /

UK / ˈenibʌdi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Any person; anyone

distance

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US / 'dɪstəns /

UK / ˈdɪstəns /

A2
  • noun
  • Lack of friendliness toward another person
  • Amount of space between two places or things
  • verb
  • To make it clear that you are not involved

come

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US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrive at a place
  • (Of mail) to be delivered
  • To move toward someone; go with someone
  • To reach a certain point or state

game

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US / ɡeɪm /

UK / ɡem /

A1
  • noun
  • Activity with rules that people play to have fun
  • Birds and animals people hunt to kill and eat
  • Match between two teams

match

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US / mætʃ /

UK / mætʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that is equal to or the same as another
  • Small stick you strike to light a fire candle etc.
  • A sports competition between two people or teams
  • Person or thing that goes well with another
  • verb
  • To equal or be as good as something else
  • To work well or look good with something else

think

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US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

hey

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US / heɪ /

UK / he /

A1
  • exclamation
  • What you say when you want someone's attention

smoothly

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US / ˈsmu:ðli /

UK / smuðlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In an evenly flowing manner or movement
  • In an easy manner, with no problems

real

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US / rɪəl /

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Actually existing or happening, not imagined
  • Being important or special

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

back

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US / bæk /

UK / bæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
  • adverb
  • Have returned to a place you were before
  • noun
  • The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
  • Location at the rear of something
  • The reverse of side something
  • Area on the rear of your body
  • verb
  • To bet money on something
  • To go backwards in a car
  • To support and encourage someone or some cause

illegal

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US / ɪ'li:ɡl /

UK / ɪˈliɡəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not allowed by the laws or rules

maintain

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US / meɪn'teɪn /

UK / menˈten /

A2
  • verb
  • To keep saying something a certain way
  • To keep (machine) working by checking, repairing
  • To keep, exist or continue without changing

leave

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US / li:v /

UK / liv /

A1
  • noun
  • Permission to do something
  • Vacation time; time off work
  • verb
  • To go away from; depart
  • To gift property to someone after you die
  • To allow something to continue happening
  • To let something remain unused or available
  • To let something or someone remain somewhere

front

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US / frʌnt /

UK / frʌnt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Opposite of back; the forward part of an object
  • noun
  • Behavior not showing a person's true feelings
  • Area where fighting in a war is happening
  • Place where air of different temperatures meets
  • verb
  • To have the forward part facing something
  • To lead a group of people, usually a band

normally

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US / ˈnɔ:məli /

UK / ˈnɔːrməli /

B1
  • adverb
  • In the manner that is usual or ordinary

film

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US / fɪlm /

UK / fɪlm /

A2
  • noun
  • Thin layer that covers something
  • Movie
  • verb
  • To record moving action with a camera

polish

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US / 'pɒlɪʃ /

UK / ˈpɑlɪʃ /

B1
  • noun
  • A cream used to make shoes etc. shiny
  • Quality or style showing great skill or refinement
  • A shine on a surface
  • other
  • To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it
  • verb
  • To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it
  • To improve by practicing or working on it

baseball

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US / 'beɪsbɔ:l /

UK / ˈbesˌbɔl /

A2
  • noun
  • Small ball used in the game of baseball
  • Two teams of nine players hit a ball to score runs

cricket

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US / 'krɪkɪt /

UK / ˈkrɪkɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Sport played by two teams hitting a ball with bats
  • Brown or black insect that makes short loud noises

know

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US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • To feel sure or be convinced about something
  • To discover or be aware of something
  • To be able to distinguish
  • To have knowledge of things

air

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US / eə(r) /

UK / er /

A1
  • noun
  • Mixture of gases around the earth that we breathe
  • A person's manner intended to impress others
  • verb
  • To expose to the outside, to dry or freshen
  • To broadcast a TV or radio show
  • To open a subject to discussion and debate

notice

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US / 'nəʊtɪs /

UK / ˈnotɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Time by when you must leave, e.g. if you are fired
  • Paper with an announcement, e.g. pinned to a board
  • verb
  • To become aware by sight, touch, or hearing

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

patch

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US / pætʃ /

UK / pætʃ /

B1
  • noun
  • Cover worn over an eye to protect or hide it
  • Piece of ground on vegetation grows
  • Piece of cloth sewn onto garments to repair holes
  • Small spot different from the area around it
  • verb
  • To join or unite, e.g. two phone calls
  • To repair hole by sewing a piece of cloth over it

with

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US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

see

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US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

scratch

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US / skrætʃ /

UK / skrætʃ /

B1
  • noun
  • Action of rubbing your skin when itchy
  • A small cut or mark on a surface
  • verb
  • To rub your skin with your nails to stop an itch
  • To make a small cut or mark on a surface

rely

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US / rɪ'laɪ /

UK / rɪˈlaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • Depend on with full trust or confidence

away

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US / ə'weɪ /

UK / əˈwe /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not present
  • adverb
  • Disappear completely
  • Doing something with a lot of energy
  • Not here; far from here; in a different direction
  • To a different area, location

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

player

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US / ˈpleɪə(r) /

UK / ˈpleɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Machine that plays recorded material
  • Person who plays a musical instrument
  • Person who plays games on devices
  • Person who plays sports

time

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US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

through

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US / θru: /

UK / θru /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • having finished using or doing something
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over, in, across an entire thing or place
  • Allowing you to pass between, or to
  • By a particular way or process; by the use of

why

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US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

just

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US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

pitch

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US / pɪtʃ /

UK / pɪtʃ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Very dark black color
  • noun
  • Act of throwing a baseball for someone to hit
  • Playing fields in sports, e.g. for soccer
  • Attempt to sell/persuade someone of the value of
  • Degree of slope on e.g. a plane's wing
  • Measure of how high or low a sound is
  • Black substance that is very stick when heated
  • verb
  • To suggest a product, idea to make someone buy
  • To throw a baseball to a batter
  • To plunge or fall forward or headlong
  • To set up a camp or tent for a length of time
  • To attempt to sell something to someone
  • To set a sound to a certain level

such

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US / sʌtʃ /

UK / sʌtʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Being similar to
  • (Thing) as previously stated or referred to
  • adverb
  • (Used to emphasize the quality of an adjective)

soon

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US / su:n /

UK / sun /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time not long from now

seam

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US / si:m /

UK / sim /

B1
  • noun
  • Line where cloth, metal etc. are joined together

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

inch

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US / ɪntʃ /

UK / ɪntʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • 1/12th of a foot (2.54 centimeters)
  • Very small distance
  • verb
  • To move or cause to move a small bit at a time

much

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US / mʌtʃ /

UK / mʌtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very; to a high level or degree
  • adverb
  • A lot; large amount; a high degree of
  • Nearly; basically
  • On many occasions; often
  • noun
  • A large amount; a great quantity

correct

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US / kə'rekt /

UK / kəˈrɛkt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being suitable and appropriate for an occasion
  • True or accurate
  • verb
  • To fix a problem
  • To write marks on a piece of work to show mistakes
  • To punish in order to improve

middle

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US / 'mɪdl /

UK / ˈmidl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Equal distance from extremes
  • noun
  • Place that is halfway between two things

polystyrene

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US / ˌpɒliˈstaɪri:n /

UK / ˌpɑ:liˈstaɪri:n /

A1
  • noun
  • Polymer of styrene; a rigid transparent thermoplastic

light

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US / laɪt /

UK / laɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being bright making it easy to see; not dark
  • Being pale and lacking darkness of color
  • Not heavy; weighing only a little
  • adverb
  • Carrying few bags when traveling
  • noun
  • A source of energy that makes a room or area bright
  • Way in which something or someone is understood
  • verb
  • To cause something to burn; put a burning match to
  • To provide a way to see ahead
  • Subtitles section
  • Can you pitch that?
  • Hey, how did you do that?
  • That was a hard one because this ball is a little bit magic.
  • It's got a bit of string glued to the left side of it to make the ball curve to the left.
  • Why is that?
  • That's because the air that's flowing from the front of the ball around to the back encounters this seam, becomes turbulent, and turbulent air is known to stick to the ball longer than smooth or laminar flow.
  • So the air is deflected this way to the right on the ball and therefore there's a force on the ball to the left and so it curves.
  • This is quite a light ball so it curves a long way.
  • But on a cricket ball the seam isn't on one side, the seam is down the middle.
  • Correct.
  • It's spinning in such a way that the seam's inclined at an angle to the direction of motion of the ball.
  • I see.
  • In which case air coming towards the ball will flow smoothly around the smooth side and separates from the ball.
  • Air flowing on the rough side, the seam side, becomes turbulent as soon as it encounters that seam, gets deflected to the left, and therefore the ball gets deflected to the right.
  • So you basically make a rough side using that seam by angling the seam?
  • With a cricket ball.
  • With a cricket ball.
  • Or you can have a rough and a smooth side because as time goes on during the game one side gets rougher than the other.
  • The players maintain the smooth side by polishing it or wherever, as if they're scratching themselves.
  • Right.
  • And then you don't really need the seam to have that effect because the effect is just a rough side and a smooth side.
  • So a ball will always swing towards the rough side then?
  • It does.
  • But how does someone swing a baseball then?
  • That relies on the Magnus effect normally.
  • So if the spin is about a vertical axis it will either curve to the left or curve to the right.
  • It's a curved ball.
  • Exactly.
  • However, there's a pitch ball known as a scuff ball that people don't like to know about because it's illegal.
  • And if you roughen up one side of the ball surreptitiously without anybody noticing it and then toss it, it will curve a long way just like the cricket ball.
  • It'll curve towards the rough side.
  • Correct.
  • However, there's an effect discovered just this year which is fairly obvious when you think about it.
  • You can have a smooth patch on a baseball.
  • But the seam seems to be symmetric everywhere so how can you really have a smooth patch?
  • What you do there is to make sure the axis passes through a spot which is a large distance from the seam.
  • In other words, right about there.
  • It's about one inch away from the seam.
  • And if it rotates about that axis then you've got a big spot that's always smooth on that side.
  • You've got a smooth spot as opposed to a rough spot.
  • And so it swings away from the smooth spot.
  • It does and I can show you that in slow motion.
  • Ah, so you've tried this out with one of your polystyrene balls.
  • I have.
  • So you can see the effect more dramatically but it's also on film from a real baseball match.
  • In April this year it was filmed and people noticed for the first time that it's curving the wrong way.
  • So who was it who explained this effect?
  • Me. You were the first person to explain how you can cause a baseball to swing in the opposite direction.
  • It took an Aussie to show...
  • Show the Americans how it's done.
  • How it's done, exactly.
  • Well why don't we play a bit of ball with that thing.
  • I don't think you can swing that as much.
  • I can't.
  • Yeah?
  • So let's give it a shot.
  • Yeah.