Sports — English Vocabulary
30 essential words about sports in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
bat /bæt/ noun A1
The long wooden or metal stick used to hit the ball in baseball and cricket; also a small flying mammal that comes out at night.
Example: He hit the ball with the bat.
glove /ɡlʌv/ noun A1
A covering for the hand with separate parts for fingers, worn for warmth, protection, or sport (baseball, boxing, gardening).
Example: Baseball players wear a glove.
net /net/ noun A1
A material made of threads or ropes crossed with holes between them, used in sports (tennis, soccer goals), for fishing, and for catching things; also short for the internet.
Example: The ball hit the net.
ball /bɔːl/ noun A1
A round object used in games and sports for hitting, kicking, or throwing; also a formal dance party in old-fashioned use.
Example: Kick the ball here.
fan /fæn/ noun A1
A person who loves a sport, team, singer, or show and supports them enthusiastically; also a machine or object that moves air to cool a room or person.
Example: The fans cheered loudly.
whistle /ˈwɪsəl/ noun / verb A1
A small instrument blown to make a high sharp sound, used by referees, police, and guards; the sound itself; also to make music by blowing air through the lips.
Example: The referee blew the whistle.
helmet /ˈhelmɪt/ noun A1
A hard hat that protects the head, worn by cyclists, motorbike riders, soldiers, builders, and football players.
Example: Wear a helmet on the bike.
uniform /ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm/ noun A1
The special set of clothes worn by members of a team, school, job, or service to show they belong; matching and the same for all.
Example: The team wears a blue uniform.
captain /ˈkæptɪn/ noun A1
The leader of a sports team; also the person in command of a ship or an airplane, and an officer rank in the army and police.
Example: The captain led the team onto the field.
referee /ˌrefəˈriː/ noun A1
The person in a sport who makes sure the rules are followed and makes decisions during the game; also a person who gives a reference for a job applicant (different sense).
Example: The referee showed a yellow card.
golf /ɡɒlf/ noun A2
An outdoor game where players hit a small ball into holes with long sticks (clubs), using as few hits as possible.
Example: My father plays golf on Sundays.
cycling /ˈsaɪklɪŋ/ noun A2
The activity or sport of riding a bicycle.
Example: Cycling is great exercise.
winner /ˈwɪnər/ noun A2
A person or team that wins a game, race, or competition.
Example: The winner received a gold medal.
score /skɔːr/ noun / verb A2
The number of points in a game; to gain a point, especially by making a goal.
Example: The final score was 3–1.
race /reɪs/ noun / verb A2
A competition to see who is fastest; to compete in speed.
Example: She won the 100-meter race.
medal /ˈmedəl/ noun A2
A flat piece of metal, often round and hanging from a ribbon, given to winners in sports or for bravery.
Example: She won a gold medal at the Olympics.
trophy /ˈtrəʊfi/ noun A2
A large cup or special object given as a prize for winning a competition.
Example: The team lifted the trophy together.
champion /ˈtʃæmpiən/ noun A2
A person or team that has won a competition, especially the highest level; the current best.
Example: She is the world champion in boxing.
coach /kəʊtʃ/ noun / verb A2
A person who trains athletes or a sports team; to train sportspeople.
Example: The coach planned the game strategy.
athlete /ˈæθliːt/ noun A2
A person who is very good at sports and competes in them, especially running, jumping, and throwing events.
Example: Olympic athletes train for years.
serve /sɜːrv/ verb B1
To start play in tennis, volleyball, and similar games by hitting the ball to the opponent; also to give food and drinks to people, and to work in a job or duty.
Example: She served the ball over the net.
dribble /ˈdrɪbəl/ verb B1
In basketball, to bounce the ball repeatedly while moving; in soccer, to move the ball along with small touches past opponents; also liquid falling in drops.
Example: He dribbled past two defenders.
tackle /ˈtækəl/ verb B1
In football and similar sports, to stop the player with the ball by grabbing them or the ball; also to deal with a difficult problem seriously.
Example: The defender tackled the striker.
warm up /wɔːrm ʌp/ phrasal verb B1
To prepare your body for sport with gentle exercises and movements; also to heat something or become friendlier.
Example: Always warm up before running.
compete /kəmˈpiːt/ verb B1
To take part in a contest or competition and try to win against others; businesses also compete for customers.
Example: Athletes compete for gold.
pass /pɑːs/ verb B1
In team sports, to send the ball to a teammate; also to go by something, to succeed in a test, and to give something by hand.
Example: Pass the ball to the open player.
shoot /ʃuːt/ verb B1
In sports, to try to score by kicking, throwing, or hitting the ball toward the goal or basket; also to fire a gun, and to film or photograph.
Example: He shot from outside the box.
defend /dɪˈfend/ verb B1
To protect your goal, territory, or position from attack; also to argue that someone or something is right.
Example: They defended their goal bravely.
attack /əˈtæk/ verb B1
To move forward trying to score or win against an opponent; also to try to hurt someone physically, or criticize strongly. Also a sudden illness (a heart attack).
Example: Our team attacks from the left.
sprint /sprɪnt/ verb / noun B1
To run very fast over a short distance; a short fast race, or a short burst of fast work or travel.
Example: He sprinted to catch the bus.