100 new sports words
Answers
Answer:
For each term we give an example sentence in italics followed by the definition. Try to deduce the meaning from the context before looking at the definition.
arena
The arena was full of excited spectators cheering on their team.
a level area for holding sports events, surrounded by seats for spectators
amateur
The Olympic Games were originally for amateur athletes only.
engaged in something, like playing sports, without payment; non-professional
athlete
Most professional athletes spend hours every day in training.
a person who trains for and competes in a sport
athletics
There are some very good runners on our athletics team.
'track and field' events of running, jumping, throwing, etc.
award
All the members of the winning team were awarded a gold medal.
to give someone something as a reward for high achievement
beat
Italy beat France to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
to defeat someone in a game or a competition
captain
The captain usually leads his or her team onto the field.
the leader of a team
catch
A wicketkeeper in cricket must be very good at catching the ball.
to grab and hold something that has been thrown
champion
The boxer Muhammad Ali was World Heavyweight Champion three times.
a top-rated, highly successful player
cheer on
The fans made a lot of noise cheering on their team.
to shout encouragement to a team or a player
coach
Players should carry out their coach's instructions during a game.
a person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team
compete
Over 10,000 athletes will compete in the Olympic Games.
to take part in a contest or a competition
competition
The English Premiership League is one of the world's top football competitions.
an organized event in which people compete to win
competitor
Each competitor in a golf tournament must record his or her own score.
a person who takes part in a competition or a sporting contest
contest
Do you know who won this year's figure skating contest?
a game or event in which people compete to win
court
The tennis courts at Wimbledon in London have a grass surface.
a quadrangular area on which ball games are played, such as tennis or basketball
course
A golf course usually has eighteen holes.
an area of land prepared for racing, golf, or other sports
cup
After they won the final game, the winners were awarded the Championship Cup.
a cup-shaped trophy, awarded as a prize in a contest
defeat
Our players were very happy after they defeated their opponents in the final game.
to win a victory over opponents in a game or contest; to beat
defend
The team attacked and scored two goals, then spent the rest of the game defending the lead.
to protect one's goal rather than attempt to score against one's opponents
draw
The score was 1-0, but the losing team got a late goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
to finish a contest or game with an even score; tie
event
The 100 metres run is one of the most exciting events in athletics.
a particular contest in a sporting programme
fan
Sometimes the umpire of a tennis match has to tell noisy fans to be quiet.
a person who supports a particular sport, team or player
field
How many players are allowed on the field during a baseball game?
a piece of land marked out for a sports contest e.g. hockey field
final score
Today's basketball game was very close. The final score was 84 to 82.
the score at the end of a game
fitness
I exercise at the gym every day for fitness and good health.
the condition of being physically fit and healthy
goal
Jimmy got the ball, ran down the pitch, and then scored the best goal of the game.
an instance of scoring in a ball game by getting the ball into a target such as between goal-posts, through a hoop, or into a net.
gym / gymnasium
Our gym has a lot of new exercise equipment, including running machines and cycling machines.
a room or building equipped for physical exercise
half-time
The players went into the rooms at half-time and listened to their coach.
the interval between the first and second halves of a game
judge
In sports like diving and gymnastics, judges score each performance in a contest.
a person who rates the quality of a sporting performance, usually by awarding points
league
Nearly every town in the U.S. has teams in a local baseball league.
a group of sports clubs that play each other over a period for a championship
leisure
It's good for kids to spend some of their leisure time playing sports.
free time, or the use of free time for enjoyment
lob
Her lob flew high into the air and dropped into the back of the court, just inside the baseline.
a shot that is hit in a high arc, usually over the opponent's head
manager
Liverpool sacked their manager after they lost eight of their previous ten games.
the person in charge of a sports team