ENGLISH
REFERENCE

handball

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈhændˌbɔɫ// UK //hˈændbɔːl// hand·ball Slang

n. a team sport where players use their hands to throw a ball into the other team's goal. In soccer, it is also the name for the mistake of touching the ball with your hand or arm.

n. a team sport in which players pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team. Also refers to an infraction in association football involving illegal contact between the ball and a player's hand or arm.


SIMPLE

The referee called a handball and gave the other team a penalty.

CONTEXTUAL

During the physical education class, the students learned the basic rules of handball, including how to dribble and shoot.

COMPLEX

The defender's unintentional handball in the final minute of the match resulted in a controversial penalty that ultimately decided the championship title.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the sport itself; countable when referring to a specific foul in soccer.

Pitfall

He made a handballIt was a handballIn soccer, 'handball' is usually the name of the foul itself rather than an action one 'makes'; it is typically used with the verb 'to be' or 'to commit'.

© 2026 English Reference