Correct spelling, explanation: the correct spelling in English is balloon. This word refers to an inflatable object made of a flexible material, typically filled with air or gas, used for decoration, scientific purposes, or transportation (e.g., hot air balloons). The form ballon is not correct in English, but still exists in French and other languages with slightly different meanings. In French, ballon can refer to any large ball, and in specific contexts, it might refer to a balloon-like object.

Definition of balloon:
1. Noun, a small, thin rubber bag that you blow air into or fill with a light gas until it is round in shape
The colorful balloon floated gently into the sky, carried by a soft breeze.
At the party, children excitedly played with the balloons, tossing them around the room.
2. Verb, to quickly increase in size, weight, or importance
The company’s expenses began to balloon after it expanded into international markets.
Her excitement ballooned as the day of the big event drew closer.

Collocations with balloon:
Some of the most commonly used collocations include:
1. Hot air balloon: a large balloon filled with heated air, used for transportation or recreation.
We took a scenic hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise.
2. Balloon payment: a large, final payment due at the end of a loan, typically larger than the earlier payments.
The car loan required a balloon payment after five years, which caught many buyers off guard.
3. Balloon festival: a festival where numerous hot air balloons are flown, often as a tourist attraction.
The annual balloon festival attracted visitors from all over the world.
4. Balloon arch: a decorative structure made by arranging balloons in an arch shape, often used at events or celebrations.
A beautiful balloon arch welcomed the guests at the wedding entrance.

Incorrect spelling, explanation: the word balloon comes from the French word ballon (meaning large ball), but when English borrowed the word, it evolved in both spelling and meaning. English often adapts foreign words to fit its own phonetic and grammatical rules. The double -o in balloon was likely added to represent the long -oo sound in pronunciation, and the double -l followed similar spelling conventions in English. Spelling balloon as ballon is incorrect because it does not reflect the way the word is pronounced or commonly used in English.

Incorrect spelling

Incorrect spelling