Sports & Leisure vocabulary
100 words to learn about sports & leisure.
footballA sport played on foot in which teams attempt to get a ball into a goal or zone defended by the other team.basketballA sport in which two opposing teams of five players strive to put a ball through a hoop.tennisA sport played by two players (or four in doubles), who alternately strike the ball over a net using racquets.swimmingThe act or art of sustaining and propelling the body in water.runningThe activity of running as a form of exercise, as a sport, or for any other reason.cyclingThe activity of riding cycles, especially bicycles (for transport, sport, physical exercise, recreation, tourism...).coachA trainer or instructor.matchA competitive sporting event such as a boxing meet (commonly called a "bout"), a baseball game, or a cricket match.scoreThe total number of goals, points, runs, etc.championAn ongoing winner in a game or contest.hobbyAn activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.fitnessThe condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate.workoutAn exercise session; a period of physical exercise.marathonA 42.195-kilometre (26-mile-385-yard) road race.refereeAn umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.stadiumA venue where sporting events are held.tournamentA series of games; either the same game played many times, or a succession of games related by a single theme; played competitively to determine a single winning team or individual.athleteA person who actively participates in physical sports, especially with great skill; a sportsperson.victoryThe condition or state of having won a battle or competition, or having succeeded in an effort; (countable) an instance of this.defeatTo overcome in battle or contest.trainingThe activity of imparting and acquiring skills.goalkeeperA designated player that attempts to prevent the opposing team from scoring by protecting a goal.racketAn implement with a handle connected to a round frame strung with wire, sinew, or plastic cords, and used to hit a ball, such as in tennis or a shuttlecock in badminton.joggingThe practice of running at a relatively slow pace for exercise.hikingWalking in the countryside for pleasure or sport.surfingThe pastime or sport of riding surf on a surfboard.skatingThe action of moving along a surface (ice or ground) using skates.boxingA sport where two opponents punch each other with gloved fists to head and torso; the object being to score more points by the end of the match or by knockout, or technical knockout.wrestlingA sport where two opponents attempt to subdue each other in bare-handed grappling using techniques of leverage, holding, and pressure points.gymnasticsA sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness.teammateOne who is on the same team.opponentOne who opposes another; one who works or takes a position against someone or something; one who attempts to stop the progress of someone or something.whistleTo make a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth.medalA stamped or cast metal object (usually a disc), particularly one awarded as a prize or reward.trophyAn object, usually in the form of a statuette, cup, or shield, awarded for success in a competition or to mark a special achievement.competeTo be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.spectatorOne who observes, sees, or views something; an observer.penaltyA punishment for violating rules of procedure.dribbleIn various ball games, to move (with) the ball, controlling its path by kicking or bouncing it repeatedly.sprintA short race at top speed.enduranceThe measure of a person's stamina or persistence.leisureFree time, time free from work or duties.recreationAny activity, such as play, that amuses, diverts or stimulates.pastimeSomething which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably.exerciseActivity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.stretchTo lengthen by pulling.rematchA repeated contest staged between the same opponents or teams which played a previous contest.underdogA competitor thought unlikely to win.baseballThe ball used to play the sport of baseball.volleyballA game played on a rectangular court between two teams of two to six players which involves striking a ball back and forth over a net.handballA team sport where two teams of seven players each (six players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball trying to throw it in the goal of the opposing team.badmintonA cooling summer drink made with claret, sugar, and soda water.cricketA game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven, popular in England and many Commonwealth countries.rugbyA form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball; rugby football.hockeyAny of a family of sports in which hockey sticks are used to move a ball or puck into a goal.golfA ball game played by individuals competing against one another in which the object is to hit a ball into each of a series of (usually 18 or nine) holes in the minimum number of strokes.bowlingA game played by rolling a ball down an alley and trying to knock over a triangular group of ten pins; tenpin bowling/fivepin bowling.archeryThe practice or sport of shooting arrows with a bow.fencingThe art or sport of duelling with swords, especially with the 17th- to 18th-century European dueling swords and the practice weapons descended from them (sport fencing).judoA Japanese martial art and sport adapted from jujutsu.karateAn Okinawan martial art involving primarily punching and kicking, but additionally, advanced throws, arm bars, grappling and all means of fighting.taekwondoA martial arts form from Korea, known for its elaborate kicking techniques.rowingThe action of propelling a boat with oars.sailingMotion across a body of water in a craft powered by the wind, as a sport or otherwise.divingThe action of the verb to dive in any sense.snorkelingThe act of swimming using a snorkel.skiingA group of sports using skis as primary equipment.snowboardingThe sport of sliding downhill on a snowboard.sleddingThe act of sliding downhill, or transporting something, on a sled.climbingThe sport of climbing, ascending a wall or a rock or another object using available holds, generally with the safety of a rope and belayer.rappellingA system used to descend heights with a rope.kayakingA water sport involving racing, or doing tricks in, a kayak.canoeingA water sport involving travelling or racing in canoes or kayaks.fishingThe act of catching fish.huntingThe act of finding and killing a wild animal, either for sport or with the intention of using its parts to make food, clothes, etc.campingThe recreational or educational activity of temporarily living in a tent or similar accommodation.aerobicsA form of exercise, designed to enhance one's cardiovascular fitness, normally performed to music.yogaThe tree Elaeocarpus joga.pilatesA physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.danceA sequence of rhythmic steps or movements usually performed to music, for pleasure or as a form of social interaction.zumbaA fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance.treadmillA piece of indoor sporting equipment used to allow for the motions of running or walking while staying in one place.dumbbellA weight training implement consisting of a short bar with weight counterpoised on each end.barbellA wide steel bar with premeasured weights affixed to either end, with the central span open for the hands of the weightlifter.weightsAny collection of weighted objects, such as dumbbells or barbells, used for exercise and training the muscles.gymA sports facility specialized for lifting weights, cardio machines, and other exercise (culturally differentiated from sense 1).lockerA type of storage compartment with a lock, usually used to store personal possessions for public use, such as in schools, railway stations, place of work, gyms, sports centers.jerseyA shirt worn by a member of an athletic team, usually oversized, typically depicting the athlete's name and team number as well as the team's logotype.uniformA distinctive outfit that serves to identify members of a group, company, prison inmates, etc.cleatsA pair of athletic shoes equipped with cleats.helmetA hard, protective head covering, typically part of armour.gogglesProtective eyewear set in a flexible frame to fit snugly against the face.mouthguardA device that fits into the mouth over one or both arches of the teeth and usually made of plastic.shinguardA piece of apparel to protect the front of the lower leg (the shin), usually worn when playing sports.stopwatchA timepiece designed to measure the amount of time elapsed between a particular time when activated and when the piece is deactivated.scoreboardA large board that displays the score in a game or contest.dugoutA sunken shelter at the side of a sports field where non-playing team members and staff sit during a game.sidelineA line at the side of something.goalpostA rule or target that is "moved" (changed) unfairly; see move the goalposts.netRemaining after expenses or deductions.