DictionarywhiffMissed swing
noun / verb

whiff

A swing that misses the ball in a sport.

The batter takes a whiff at the low pitch.

Etymology

Whiff names a light puff or passing movement of air. In sport, the missing swing moves through air without making contact.

More examples

  • He whiffed on the final strike.
  • Two whiffs ended his turn.
  • She keeps whiffing at the fast pitches.

Forms

whiff · whiffs · whiffed · whiffing

Similar words

miss
Covers failed attempts beyond swinging at a ball.
strike
Can result from a missed swing or other baseball rules.