Topics / Sports Vocabulary
Sports Vocabulary in English
Football, tennis, training, and the language of matches, scores, and kit. 109 words, A1 to C1.
109 words
Games and Matches
SportA2A game or activity such as football that needs physical effort.“Her favourite sport is cricket.”GameA1An activity with rules that you play for fun, such as football or cards.“Would you like to play a game?”PlayA1To do something for fun, or to take part in a game.“The children play after school.”TeamA2A group of people who play or work together.“She is in the school team.”ClubA1A group of people who meet for a sport or interest, or a place with music.“He is in the football club.”WinA2To be the best in a game, race, or competition.“Who won the match?”LoseA2To no longer have something, or to fail to win.“Do not lose your keys.”ScoreA2The number of points a player or team has in a game.“The final score was three to one.”GoalA2Something that you want to achieve.“His goal is to pass the exam this year.”MatchA1A game between two teams or players; also a small stick for fire.“We watched a football match.”CompetitionB1An event in which people try to win by being better than others.“She won first prize in the writing competition.”ChampionshipA2A competition to find the best player or team.“Our team won the national championship.”FootballA1A game in which two teams kick a ball, or the ball itself.“The children play football after school.”CricketA2A bat-and-ball game popular in Britain and many other countries.“They played cricket in the park on Sunday.”TennisA1A game in which two or four people hit a ball over a net.“She plays tennis on Saturday.”RugbyA2A team sport in which players carry, kick, and pass an oval ball.“He plays rugby for the college on Saturdays.”HockeyA2A team sport played with sticks and a ball, or a similar game on ice.“She plays hockey for the school team.”GolfA2A sport in which you hit a small ball into holes with clubs.“He booked a golf lesson near the beach hotel.”BasketballA2A game in which two teams try to throw a ball through a high net.“She plays basketball after school.”VolleyballA2A sport in which two teams hit a ball over a high net with their hands.“We played volleyball on the beach after lunch.”BaseballA2A game in which two teams hit a ball with a bat and run around bases.“The children played baseball in the park.”RoundersB1A UK team game in which you hit a ball and run round bases (often uncountable).“Rounders is on the PE rota; baseball rules are not the same scoring.”SnookerB1A table game like pool, with 15 red balls and coloured balls, played with a cue.“They play snooker at the club on the industrial estate.”DartsB1A game of throwing small pointed missiles at a circular board (often plural).“Darts are a pub game; they are not allowed in the common room without staff.”BoxingB2The sport of fighting with the fists in gloves, following rules (usually uncountable).“Boxing in the PE source still needs a named bout or a safety rule, not a film poster.”WrestleC1To fight by holding and throwing; also to struggle with a problem (wrestle with).“Wrestle with the raw file; a rounded abstract is not a count.”MartialB1Connected with war, the armed forces, or fighting sports (martial law; martial arts).“Martial law is not a council parking power, whatever the leaflet claimed.”SwimA1To move through water using your arms and legs.“The children swim in the pool.”SwimmingB1The sport or activity of moving through water using the arms and legs (often uncountable).“Swimming is on the PE rotation; a note from home is not a term-long excuse without a GP letter.”CyclingA2The activity or sport of riding a bicycle.“Cycling is a cheap way to get to work.”CycleA2To ride a bicycle.“She cycles to college every morning.”BikeA1A vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing the pedals.“He goes to school by bike.”BicycleA2A two-wheeled vehicle that you ride by pushing the pedals.“She rides her bicycle to work.”SkateA2To move on ice or on a smooth floor wearing skates.“They skated on the frozen lake in January.”SkiA2To move over snow on long, narrow boards.“We learnt to ski in the mountains last winter.”SkiingB1The sport of moving over snow on skis (often uncountable).“The skiing trip still needs a parental consent form, not a WhatsApp yes.”SnowboardB1A board for sliding over snow, with both feet attached.“A snowboard on the trip is extra insurance; the skiing policy does not cover it automatically.”HikingA2The activity of long walks in the countryside.“Hiking is a cheap way to see the hills.”YogaA2Exercises for the body and breathing, often done on a mat.“She goes to a yoga class on Wednesday.”OpponentB2A person or group you compete against or disagree with.“Her opponent in the debate argued for a complete ban.”CompeteB1To try to win or be more successful than others.“Six teams will compete in the final.”VictoryA2Success in a game, fight, or competition.“The team celebrated their victory with a cheer.”DefeatB1To win against someone; as a noun, a loss.“The amendment was defeated in the Commons by twelve votes.”SpectatorB2A person who watches a sport, show, or event, and does not take part.“Spectator numbers are not the same as participation in the PE audit.”AthleticsB2Sports such as running, jumping, and throwing (usually uncountable; track and field).“Athletics results still need the time or distance, the PE paper said.”
People and Places
AthleteB2A person who is good at sports, especially in competitions.“The athlete trained every morning.”CoachB1A person who trains a team or learner to improve a skill.“The coach gave the team clear advice.”TrainerB1A sports shoe (UK; usually trainers); also a person who trains people or animals.“Trainers are PE only; black school shoes are still required in lessons.”FanA2Someone who likes a person, sport, or thing very much.“She is a big fan of cricket.”CrowdA2A large group of people in one place.“A crowd waited at the station.”ChampionA2The winner of a competition.“He is the school swimming champion.”CaptainA2The leader of a team, ship, or aircraft.“She is the captain of the school football team.”SubstituteB2To use one thing instead of another.“You can substitute honey for sugar.”GoalkeeperA1The player who stands in the goal and stops the ball.“Our goalkeeper saved the penalty.”StadiumA1A large place with seats around a field, for sport or concerts.“The match is at the stadium.”CourtA2A place where legal cases are heard, or an area for sports such as tennis.“The case will go to court next month.”FieldA2An area of land for farming or sport, or a subject you study.“The children played football on the school field.”TrackA2The metal rails a train runs on, or a path for walking or running.“Stand behind the line and wait off the track.”PoolA1A place with water for swimming.“The children are in the pool.”GymA2A place with equipment for physical exercise.“He goes to the gym after work.”BenchA1A long seat for two or more people, often in a park.“They sat on a bench by the lake.”LeagueB1A group of sports clubs that play each other; also a group of similar people or organisations.“The club was promoted to the league above after play-offs.”FixtureC1A scheduled match or regular event; also an object fixed in a building.“The January sitting is a fixture; an email the night before is not a timetable.”ArenaB2A place for sports or public events, or an area of activity and competition.“Politics is a tough arena.”Changing RoomB1A room where you change clothes for sport or shopping (UK).“Phones are banned in the changing room; that is a safeguarding rule, not a preference.”CommentatorB2A person who describes a sports event as it happens, or who gives public opinions on news.“The commentator explained the rule to viewers.”JerseyA2A knitted shirt, especially one worn for sport.“He wore the team jersey to the match.”
Actions and Kit
TrainingB1Teaching that builds a skill for a job (often uncountable).“Fire-warden training is mandatory before you work a late shift.”ExerciseA2Physical activity that you do to stay healthy, or a practice task.“Walking is good exercise.”FitnessA2How healthy and strong your body is.“Cycling to college improved her fitness.”WorkoutA2A period of physical exercise.“She does a short workout before breakfast.”RaceA2A competition to see who is the fastest.“He won the race by two seconds.”RunA1To move quickly on your feet.“Don’t run in the corridor.”MarathonB1A long running race of about 42 km; also any very long, tiring task.“Road closures for the marathon delayed ambulances to A&E.”JogA2To run slowly for exercise.“I jog in the park every morning.”JumpA1To push yourself off the ground with your legs.“The cat jumped onto the table.”ThrowA1To send something through the air with your hand.“Throw the ball to me.”CatchA1To stop and hold something that is moving, such as a ball or a bus.“Catch the ball!”KickA1To hit something with your foot.“Kick the ball to me.”HitA1To touch something quickly and with force, with your hand or with an object.“Do not hit the ball too hard.”TackleB2To deal with a difficult problem; also (sport) to stop a player who has the ball.“The briefing asks how the council will tackle waiting lists, not reprint a slogan.”DiveA2To jump into water with your head first, or to swim underwater.“She dived into the pool from the side.”StretchB1To pull something so it becomes longer, or to make a rule or time cover more than it should.“Do not stretch a 20-minute slot into a full clinic.”MedalA2A metal disc given as a prize or honour.“She won a silver medal in the school race.”InjuryB1Harm to a person’s body.“He could not play because of an injury.”BruiseB2A dark mark on the skin from a blow; as a verb, to cause or get that mark.“A bruise featured in the medical notes; quote the date, not a cartoon bump.”KitB1A set of tools, clothes, or equipment for a job or activity.“Bring your first-aid kit on the field trip.”UniformA1Special clothes that students or workers wear so they look the same.“Pupils wear a school uniform.”BootsA1Strong shoes that cover the ankle, and sometimes the lower leg.“Put your boots on — it is wet outside.”TrainersA1Comfortable sports shoes (British). American English often says sneakers.“She ran in her trainers.”HelmetA2A hard hat that protects your head.“Always wear a helmet on a motorbike.”GogglesA1Special glasses that fit close to your face, used for swimming or safety. Usually plural.“Put on your goggles before you swim.”Swimming GogglesB1Close-fitting glasses that keep water out of the eyes when you swim (usually plural).“Swimming goggles are pool kit; ordinary glasses are not allowed in the deep end.”WhistleA2A small device, or a high sound, used to get attention.“The referee blew the whistle at full time.”BallA1A round object used in games such as football.“Throw the ball to me.”WicketB1In cricket, the stumps a batter defends, or the dismissal of a batter.“He was out, and that was the third wicket of the afternoon.”RacketA1A bat with strings, used to hit the ball in tennis or badminton.“She hit the ball with her racket.”Tennis RacketB1A bat with strings, used for hitting a tennis ball (UK; also a racquet).“A tennis racket is PE kit; a rounders bat is not the same booking.”DefenceB2Protection against attack; also the case made for an accused person in court (UK spelling).“The ministry increased defence spending in the Budget.”PenaltyA2A punishment, often money or a disadvantage, for breaking a rule.“There is a penalty if you cancel the ticket too late.”AmateurB1Doing something for pleasure, not as a paid job; also not very skilful.“She plays in an amateur orchestra at the weekend.”ProfessionalB2Connected with a job that needs special training; also showing high standards of behaviour at work.“You need professional advice before you sign the contract.”QualifyB2To reach the standard needed for a job, course, or competition; also to add a limit to a statement.“She qualified as a solicitor last year.”EqualiseB2To make things equal; in sport, to score and make the score the same (UK spelling).“Equalise the concentrations in the practical; a late equaliser still needs the minute, the PE report said.”DisqualifyB2To stop someone taking part because they have broken a rule.“A smartwatch can disqualify a candidate on the listening paper.”NetA1Open material of string or wire with holes, used in sport or to catch things.“The ball went into the net.”HurdleB2A frame to jump in athletics, or a difficulty you must deal with; as a verb, to jump that frame.“Cost is the main hurdle in the housing brief, not a sports-day caption unless the PE paper says so.”RelayC1To pass a message or signal on; also (noun) a team race, or a device that passes a signal.“Relay the embargo time in the minute; a thumbs-up is not a record.”DefenderB2A person who protects a place, idea, or person; also a player whose job is to stop the other side scoring.“Name the defender in the PE report, then the foul; a defender of the Act still needs the statute.”