Triple-double means: A statistical line where a player records 10+ in three statistical categories in a single game. Marker of all-around dominance.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
triple-double
A statistical line where a player records 10+ in three statistical categories (typically points, rebounds, assists) in a single game.
Etymology timeline
Born ~1980 · 1 year of recorded useSeen in the wild
Victor Wembanyama has 12-block triple-double in Spurs' loss - ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48682688/victor-wembanyama-12-block-triple-double-spurs-game-1-loss-timberwolves
"Best player of the series easily": Knicks fans celebrate Karl-Anthony Towns' triple-double as New York even series with Hawks
Definitions
A statistical line where a player records 10+ in three statistical categories (typically points, rebounds, assists) in a single game. Marker of all-around dominance.
"Russ averaged a triple-double for the season."
Triple-double means: A statistical line where a player records 10+ in three statistical categories in a single game. Marker of all-around dominance.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
triple-double means: A statistical line where a player records 10+ in three statistical categories in a single game. Marker of all-around dominance.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
“Victor Wembanyama has 12-block triple-double in Spurs' loss - ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48682688/victor-wembanyama-12-block-triple-double-spurs-game-1-loss-timberwolves”
— Bluesky· May 2026“"Best player of the series easily": Knicks fans celebrate Karl-Anthony Towns' triple-double as New York even series with Hawks”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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- double double72%
(basketball) The achievement of a two-digit number of any two of points scored, assists, rebounds, blocks, or steals in a single game.
- double double64%
(volleyball) Achieving two kills and two digs by a single player in one game.
- Triple Crown60%
(baseball) The feat of leading one's league in three key statistical categories—batting average, home runs, and RBI for hitters; wins, strikeouts, and ERA for pitchers.
- double-team59%
(transitive, sports) In sports involving offensive and defensive teams, to use two defensive players to guard against the movements of a single offensive player.
- trillion59%
(basketball, slang) A statistic formed by a player playing some number of minutes, but recording no stats.