bat

An animal with fur and wings that usually flies at night.

• A bat flew past the window.
• Bats hunt insects after dark.
• We found a sleeping bat in the roof.

Similar words: chiropter, chiropteran, flindermouse, flitterbat

Common phrases: fruit bat, bat colony, bat wings

A specially shaped stick used to hit a ball in sports such as baseball or cricket.

• He hit the ball with his bat.
• She bought a new cricket bat.
• The police found a baseball bat in the car.

Common phrases: baseball bat, cricket bat, wooden bat

A cricket or baseball player described by how well they hit the ball.

• She is a very good bat.
• The team needs another reliable bat.
• Their opening bats scored most of the runs.

Similar words: batter, batsman

Common phrases: good bat, opening bat, reliable bat

A turn at trying to hit the ball in cricket.

• Can I have a bat now?
• She had a quick bat before lunch.
• Everyone got a bat during practice.

Similar words: turn at batting

Common phrases: have a bat, a quick bat, first bat

To hit or try to hit something with a stick, hand, or similar movement.

• She batted the ball across the field.
• He batted the fly away with his hand.
• The children took turns batting during practice.

How to use it: bat something away (She batted the balloon away from her face.); bat at something (The kitten batted at the string.)

Similar words: hit, swat

Common phrases: bat a ball, bat something away, bat at something, bat a toy

To move your eyelashes up and down quickly, often to attract someone or appear innocent.

• She batted her eyelashes and smiled.
• He joked that batting his eyelashes might get him a discount.
• Are you batting your eyelashes at me?

How to use it: bat your eyelashes at someone (She batted her eyelashes at him and smiled.)

Similar words: flutter

Common phrases: bat your eyelashes, bat someone’s eyelashes