Word
fullback
Phoneticsfull·back, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfʊɫˌbæk/
UK/fˈʊlbæk/
Countable noun Sports
Definition
n. a defensive player in sports like soccer, rugby, or American football. Their main job is to stop the other team from scoring.
n. a defensive player positioned behind the front line of play. In modern association football, the role typically involves defending the flanks, while in American football, it often involves blocking for the halfback.
Examples
“The fullback kicked the ball away from the goal.”
“The coach decided to move the fastest defender to the fullback position to better handle the opponent's wingers.”
“Modern tactical shifts have transformed the fullback from a purely defensive stopper into a versatile wing-back who contributes significantly to the team's offensive transitions and crossing accuracy.”
Examples
simple
“The fullback kicked the ball away from the goal.”
contextual
“The coach decided to move the fastest defender to the fullback position to better handle the opponent's wingers.”
complex
“Modern tactical shifts have transformed the fullback from a purely defensive stopper into a versatile wing-back who contributes significantly to the team's offensive transitions and crossing accuracy.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of team sports; the specific duties of the role vary significantly between different football codes.
Etymology
From full + back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/fullback