Sports Vocabulary Words With Meaning

Sports Vocabulary is essential for anyone who loves watching or playing sports. Knowing these terms can help you talk about your favorite matches, understand game commentary, and feel more connected to sports conversations. For Indian English learners, this vocabulary is especially useful, as sports like cricket and football are integral parts of our culture, bringing people together from all walks of life. Let’s dive into some essential sports terms and their meanings to help you understand and discuss sports more easily.

Common Sports Vocabulary with Meaning

Sports vocabulary: cricket words list with meaning

1. Wicket: The set of three stumps and two bails at each end of the pitch.
2. Bowler: The player who delivers the ball towards the batsman.
3. Batsman: A player who attempts to score runs by hitting the ball.
4. Century: When a batsman scores 100 runs in one inning.
5. Innings: The period of play during which one team bats.
6. Duck: When a batsman gets out without scoring any runs.
7. No-ball: an illegal delivery by the bowler, resulting in a penalty.
8. Over: A set of six balls bowled by the same bowler.
9. LBW: A rule where the batsman is out if the ball hits their leg in front of the wicket.
10. Run: The basic unit of scoring in cricket.
11. Spin: A type of bowling where the ball is made to turn after pitching.
12. Seam: A type of bowling where the ball moves sideways due to the seam.
13. All-rounder: A player skilled in both batting and bowling.
14. Yorker: A delivery that lands near the batsman’s feet.
15. Boundary: A shot that reaches the edge of the field; scores four or six runs.
16. Stump: Part of the wicket, three wooden posts in the ground.
17. Bouncer: A short-pitched delivery that bounces high.
18. Keeper: The wicket-keeper, who stands behind the stumps.
19. Slip: A fielding position close to the batsman to catch edges.
20. Powerplay: A period where only a few fielders are allowed outside the inner circle.

Sports vocabulary: Football words list with meaning

1. Goalkeeper: The player responsible for preventing the ball from entering the goal.
2. Striker: A forward player who primarily tries to score goals.
3. Midfielder: A player positioned between the defenders and forwards.
4. Defender: A player who tries to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
5. Offside: A rule violation occurring when a player is closer to the goal line than the ball and the second-last opponent.
6. Corner Kick: A kick taken from the corner of the field after the defending team sends the ball out of play.
7. Free Kick: A kick given to a team after a foul.
8. Penalty: A shot taken from the penalty spot after a foul in the penalty area.
9. Goal: When the ball crosses the goal line, scoring a point.
10. Tackle: attempting to take the ball from an opponent.
11. Dribble: moving the ball with a series of small kicks.
12. Yellow Card: A warning card shown to a player for a foul.
13. Red Card: A card given to eject a player from the game.
14. Header: Hitting the ball with the head.
15. Throw-in: restarting play by throwing the ball from the sideline.
16. Cross: passing the ball across the field towards a teammate.
17. Kick-off: starting or restarting the game from the centre circle.
18. Extra Time: Additional play time given when the score is tied.
19. Hat Trick: When a player scores three goals in one match.
20. Goal Line: The line marking the area between the goalposts.

Sports vocabulary: Football

Sports Vocabulary: Tennis words list with meaning

1. Serve: The shot that starts each point.
2. Ace: A serve that the opponent cannot return.
3. Rally: A series of shots exchanged between players.
4. Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces.
5. Deuce: A tied score of 40-40 that requires a two-point lead to win.
6. Advantage: The point after deuce puts a player one point away from winning.
7. Baseline: The back boundary line of the court.
8. Drop Shot: A soft shot intended to just go over the net.
9. Lob: A high shot over the opponent’s head.
10. Set: A collection of games won by the player reaching six games with a lead of two.
11. Match Point: A point that, if won, ends the match.
12. Backhand: A stroke hit on the opposite side of the player’s dominant hand.
13. Forehand: A stroke hit on the player’s dominant side.
14. Double Fault: failing to serve the ball into play twice in a row.
15. Tie-break: A game played to break a tie in a set.
16. Smash: A powerful shot hit downward.
17. Fault: A serve that fails to land in the opponent’s service box.
18. Net: The barrier that divides the two sides of the court.
19. Break Point: A point that, if won, allows the receiver to win the game.
20. Topspin: A spin on the ball that causes it to dip quickly.

Sports vocabulary: Tennis

Sports vocabulary: Rugby  words list with meaning

1. Try scoring by grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area.
2. Conversion: A kick following a try, worth two points if successful.
3. Scrum: A formation to restart play after a minor infraction.
4. Line-out: A method to restart play by throwing the ball in after it goes out.
5. Tackle: bringing down an opponent to stop their progress.
6. Ruck: A phase where players try to gain control of the ball on the ground.
7. Maul: A group of players trying to move the ball forward while in contact.
8. Penalty Kick: Awarded after a serious foul, it allows a shot at goal.
9. Knock-on: A handling error where the ball is dropped forward.
10. Offload: passing the ball while being tackled.
11. Sin Bin: Where players sit for a time penalty.
12. Prop: A forward player who supports the scrum.
13. Hooker: A player who tries to win the ball in a scrum.
14. Flanker: A position in the scrum.
15. Fly-Half: The player who directs the team’s attack.
16. Inside Centre: A player positioned inside the backs.
17. Outside Centre: The player positioned outside the backs.
18. Full-back: The player positioned farthest back, often for defense.
19. Dummy Pass: Faking a pass to trick the opponent.

Sports vocabulary: Basketball words list with meaning

1. Dribble: Bouncing the ball while moving to advance down the court.
2. Free Throw: An unopposed shot from the free-throw line after a foul.
3. Rebound: Gaining control of the ball after a missed shot.
4. Assist: passing the ball to a teammate who scores immediately.
5. Layup: A close-range shot using one hand.
6. Three-pointer: A shot made from beyond the three-point line.
7. Dunk: A powerful shot where the ball is slammed into the hoop.
8. Jump Shot: Shooting while jumping.
9. Fast Break: A quick offensive play after a turnover.
10. Block: deflecting an opponent’s shot attempt.
11. Double Dribble: A violation involving stopping then resuming dribbling.
12. Travelling: moving with the ball without dribbling, resulting in a turnover.
13. Shot Clock: The time limit to take a shot.
14. Point Guard: The player who handles the ball and sets up plays.
15. Power Forward: A player who plays close to the basket, focusing on rebounding and defence.
16. Shooting Guard: A player responsible for scoring points.
17. Centre: Typically the tallest player who plays near the basket.
18. Foul: illegal physical contact with an opponent.
19. Backcourt: The defensive half of the court.
20. Buzzer Beater: A shot made just before the time expires.