marble

[[t]mɑ͟ː(r)b(ə)l[/t]]

marbles

1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Marble is a type of very hard rock which feels cold when you touch it and which shines when it is cut and polished. Statues and parts of buildings are sometimes made of marble.

The house has a superb staircase made from oak and marble...

The entrance-hall was paved with black and white marble tiles.

2) N-COUNT: usu pl Marbles are sculptures made of marble.

...marbles and bronzes from the Golden Age of Athens.

3) N-UNCOUNT Marbles is a children's game played with small balls, usually made of coloured glass. You roll a ball along the ground and try to hit an opponent's ball with it.

On the far side of the street, two boys were playing marbles.

4) N-COUNT A marble is one of the small balls used in the game of marbles.

5) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone has lost their marbles, you mean that their ideas or behaviour are very strange, as if they have become insane. [INFORMAL]

I'll tell it to you, although you'll probably think I've lost my marbles.

Syn:

go mad