Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology The word ‘balloon’ comes to English from a French word meaning what? Fly Blow Ball Float Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself C Correct answer Explanation The correct answer is C (Ball). The word 'balloon' entered English from French, where 'ballon' meant a large ball. The French word itself derives from 'ball' + the suffix '-on'. It does not come from words meaning fly, blow, or float.