Word
cornerback
Phoneticscor·ner·back, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɔɹnɝˌbæk/
UK/kˈɔːnəbˌæk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a defensive player in American football who stands near the edge of the field. Their main job is to stop the other team's receivers from catching the ball.
n. a defensive back positioned near the sideline whose primary responsibility is to cover wide receivers and defend against passing plays. Typically requires high speed and agility to match the movements of offensive players.
Examples
“The cornerback intercepted the pass near the sideline.”
“The team's star cornerback was assigned to follow the opponent's best receiver across the entire field.”
“Elite defensive strategies often rely on a shutdown cornerback who can effectively neutralise a primary receiving threat without requiring constant safety help from the middle of the field.”
Examples
simple
“The cornerback intercepted the pass near the sideline.”
contextual
“The team's star cornerback was assigned to follow the opponent's best receiver across the entire field.”
complex
“Elite defensive strategies often rely on a shutdown cornerback who can effectively neutralise a primary receiving threat without requiring constant safety help from the middle of the field.”
Etymology
From corner + back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cornerback