Meaning & Definition
noun
A person who is eccentric or unconventional in behavior.
He's such a screwball, always coming up with the wildest ideas for his projects.
A type of pitch (screwball) in baseball that breaks in the opposite direction of a curveball.
The pitcher threw a screwball, leaving the batter completely off balance.
adjective
Unusual or eccentric.
Her screwball sense of humor always catches people off guard.
Etymology
The term is derived from the combination of 'screw' and 'ball', relating to the unpredictable behavior.
Common Phrases and Expressions
screwball comedy:
A type of comedy featuring ludicrous situations and absurd characters.
screwball pitcher:
A pitcher who primarily uses the screwball pitch.
screwball antics:
Bizarre or silly actions performed by someone.
Slang Meanings
A person who acts unpredictably.
That guy is such a screwball; you never know what he'll do next.
An outlandish idea or suggestion.
She proposed a screwball scheme to solve the problem.