Sports & Leisure vocabulary
100 words to learn about sports & leisure.
footballA team game played on foot in which players try to move a ball into a goal or zone that the other team defends.basketballA game between two teams of five, where each side tries to throw a ball into the other's hoop.tennisA game in which two players, or two pairs, hit a ball back and forth over a net with racquets.swimmingThe activity or skill of moving through water using the body.runningThe activity of moving fast on foot, done as exercise, as a sport, or for another purpose.cyclingThe sport or activity of riding a bicycle or similar cycle, whether for travel, fitness, or fun.coachA person who trains and guides athletes, performers, or students.matchAn organized sporting contest between opponents, such as a football game, a boxing bout, or a game of cricket.scoreThe number of points, goals, or runs each side has in a game or competition.championSomeone who keeps winning a competition or contest.hobbySomething a person does for pleasure in their free time.fitnessThe quality of being suitable or right for a particular purpose.workoutA session of physical exercise.marathonA long-distance running race covering 42.195 kilometres, or about 26 miles.refereeThe official in a game who enforces the rules and settles disputes.stadiumA large structure with seating for crowds, built for sports matches and other events.tournamentA competition made up of a series of games or matches, played to decide one overall winner among the teams or players.athleteSomeone who trains for and competes in sports, especially with notable skill.victoryThe state of having beaten an opponent in a battle or contest, or having succeeded at something; also, a particular win.defeatTo beat an opponent in a battle, game, or contest.trainingThe process of teaching or learning the skills needed for a job, sport, or other activity.goalkeeperThe player whose job is to guard the goal and stop the other team from scoring.racketA piece of sports equipment with a handle and an oval frame strung with tight cords, used to hit a ball or shuttlecock.joggingThe activity of running slowly and steadily as a form of exercise.hikingThe activity of taking long walks outdoors, especially in nature, for fun or fitness.surfingThe sport or hobby of riding waves toward the shore while standing on a surfboard.skatingThe activity of gliding over ice or ground on skates.boxingA combat sport in which two fighters wearing padded gloves hit each other's head and upper body, winning by points or by knocking the opponent out.wrestlingA sport in which two competitors grapple with bare hands, using holds, leverage, and pressure to overpower each other.gymnasticsA sport in which athletes perform routines of controlled movements that demand strength, balance, and flexibility.teammateA person who plays or works on the same team as you.opponentA person who competes against you or takes the opposite side, and tries to stop you from succeeding.whistleTo produce a sharp, high sound by blowing air through the lips.medalA flat piece of metal, usually round and stamped with a design, given as an award or honor.trophyA prize, often shaped like a cup, shield, or small statue, given to celebrate winning a contest or reaching a notable achievement.competeTo take part in a contest and try to win something, such as a prize or position, that others also want.spectatorA person who watches an event, especially a show or sports match, without taking part.penaltyA punishment given to someone for breaking a rule or law.dribbleIn sports such as basketball or soccer, to move forward while keeping control of the ball with repeated bounces or small kicks.sprintA brief run or race at full speed.enduranceThe ability to keep going through effort, pain, or difficulty for a long time; stamina.leisureTime when you are free from work or other obligations.recreationActivities done for fun and relaxation, such as games or hobbies.pastimeAn enjoyable activity that helps you spend your free time pleasantly.exercisePhysical activity done to keep the body, and sometimes the mind, strong and healthy.stretchTo make something longer by pulling on it.rematchA second game or contest between the same two opponents.underdogThe person or team that people expect to lose a contest.baseballThe ball that players hit, throw, and catch in the game of baseball.volleyballA sport in which two teams of two to six players hit a ball back and forth across a net on a rectangular court.handballA team game in which two sides of seven players each throw and bounce a ball, trying to get it into the other team's goal.badmintonA chilled summer drink made by mixing claret with sugar and soda water.cricketAn outdoor team sport in which two sides of eleven players use a bat and ball, widely played in England and Commonwealth nations.rugbyA team sport played with an oval ball that players may carry, pass, or kick.hockeyA group of sports in which players use curved sticks to drive a ball or puck into the other team's goal.golfAn outdoor game in which players try to hit a small ball into a series of holes, usually nine or eighteen, using as few strokes as possible.bowlingA game in which players roll a heavy ball along a lane, aiming to knock down a set of ten pins arranged in a triangle.archeryThe sport or skill of shooting arrows from a bow.fencingThe sport of fighting with slender swords under formal rules, descended from historical European dueling.judoA sport and martial art from Japan, developed from the older fighting system of jujutsu.karateA martial art from Okinawa based mainly on punches and kicks, though it also includes throws, joint locks, grappling, and other fighting techniques.taekwondoA Korean martial art famous for its wide variety of kicks.rowingThe sport or activity of moving a boat through water using oars.sailingThe activity or sport of traveling across water in a boat powered by the wind.divingThe activity of plunging into water, or of descending or dropping down suddenly.snorkelingSwimming face-down at the water's surface while breathing through a snorkel tube.skiingAny of the sports in which people travel over snow on skis.snowboardingThe sport of riding down snowy slopes standing on a snowboard.sleddingThe activity of riding a sled down a snowy slope, or of moving things by sled.climbingThe sport of going up rock faces, walls, or other structures using hand and foot holds, usually secured by a rope and a partner.rappellingThe activity of lowering yourself down a cliff or wall using a rope.kayakingThe sport of paddling a kayak, whether racing or performing tricks.canoeingThe sport of paddling or racing canoes or kayaks on the water.fishingThe activity of trying to catch fish.huntingThe activity of tracking and killing wild animals, either as a sport or to use their meat, fur, or other parts.campingThe activity of staying and sleeping outdoors in a tent or similar shelter, for fun or learning.aerobicsEnergetic physical exercise, usually done to music, that strengthens the heart and lungs.yogaA tree of the species Elaeocarpus joga.pilatesA system of physical exercises created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s.danceA series of body movements performed in rhythm, usually to music, for enjoyment or on social occasions.zumbaAn exercise program that mixes dance moves with Latin and world music.treadmillAn exercise machine with a moving belt that lets you walk or run without going anywhere.dumbbellA piece of exercise equipment made of a short handle with equal weights fixed at both ends.barbellA long metal bar with heavy weights fixed at both ends, gripped in the middle when lifting.weightsHeavy objects, such as dumbbells or barbells, lifted during exercise to strengthen the muscles.gymA place equipped with weights, exercise machines, and space for working out.lockerA lockable storage cabinet, usually in a public place like a school, gym, or station, where people keep their personal belongings.jerseyA sports shirt worn by a team player, often loose-fitting and printed with the player's name, number, and team logo.uniformA special set of clothes worn to show that someone belongs to a particular group, such as a company, school, or team.cleatsAthletic shoes fitted with studs on the soles for better grip.helmetA strong covering worn on the head for protection, historically part of a soldier's armor.gogglesProtective glasses with a flexible frame that fits tightly around the eyes.mouthguardA protective piece, usually plastic, worn inside the mouth to cover the upper or lower teeth, or both.shinguardA protective pad worn over the front of the lower leg, especially during sports.stopwatchA watch that can be started and stopped to measure exactly how much time has passed.scoreboardA big display at a game or competition that shows how many points each side has.dugoutA low, sheltered bench area beside a sports field where coaches and substitute players sit during a match.sidelineA boundary line running along the edge of something, such as a sports field.goalpostA standard or target that someone keeps changing unfairly, as in the phrase "move the goalposts."netDescribing an amount that is left after all costs, taxes, or other deductions have been taken away.