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pelota

peh-LOH-tah/peˈlota/

“pelota” means “ball” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ball

Also: sphere
NounfA1
Puerto Rico
A classic black and white soccer ball sits on bright green grass under a clear blue sky.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos una pelota nueva para jugar fútbol.

A1

We need a new ball to play soccer.

El perro persiguió la pelota hasta el parque.

A2

The dog chased the ball all the way to the park.

La niña lanzó la pelota muy alto.

A1

The girl threw the ball very high.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • balón (large ball (often for soccer/basketball))
  • esfera (sphere)

Common Collocations

  • jugar a la pelota – to play ball
  • botar la pelota – to bounce the ball

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener la pelota en su tejado – The responsibility is yours; the ball is in your court.

flattery

Also: bootlicking
NounfC1informal
SpainArgentina, Uruguay
A small, smiling fox eagerly offers a ridiculously large, sparkling, heart-shaped jewel to a majestic, seated lion, symbolizing flattery.

📝 In Action

No le creas, eso es pura pelota para conseguir el ascenso.

C1

Don't believe him, that's pure flattery (or brown-nosing) to get the promotion.

A mí no me gusta hacer la pelota a nadie.

C1

I don't like sucking up to anyone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adulación (adulation)
  • halago (compliment, flattery)

Common Collocations

  • hacer la pelota – to suck up / to flatter excessively

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pelota" in Spanish:

ball→bootlicking→flattery→sphere→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pelota

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pelota' in its figurative, informal meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pelotero(ball player (or bootlicker, informal)) — Noun
pelotazo(hard hit with a ball (or big business deal, slang)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from Vulgar Latin *pilotta*, which is a diminutive form of the Latin word *pila*, meaning 'ball' or 'pillar.' The word has consistently referred to a small, round object since its earliest uses.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: pallaFrench: pelote

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pelota' ever considered rude or insulting?

Yes. While the literal meaning ('ball') is perfectly neutral, the phrase 'hacer la pelota' (to suck up) is informal and often carries a negative, critical tone. Also, in some Latin American regions, 'pelota' can be used as a mild insult or to mean 'nonsense' or 'a lie.'

What is the difference between 'pelota' and 'balón'?

'Pelota' is the general word for 'ball' and is usually used for smaller objects (tennis, baseball, small toys). 'Balón' specifically refers to a large ball, usually one inflated with air, such as a soccer ball or basketball.