Word
rounders
UK/ɹˈaʊndəz/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a team game with a bat and a small ball, a bit like baseball, where you hit the ball and run round a circle of posts to score. Children often play it in British schools in summer.
n. a bat-and-ball team game played mainly in British schools, in which the batter hits a small ball and runs around a circuit of posts to score. Closely related to baseball and softball.
Examples
“The children play rounders in the park after school.”
“Our class plays rounders every summer term, taking turns to bat and field on the school playing field.”
“Though overshadowed by cricket and baseball, rounders preserves an older bat-and-ball tradition that still shapes school sport and summer village games across Britain.”
Examples
simple
“The children play rounders in the park after school.”
contextual
“Our class plays rounders every summer term, taking turns to bat and field on the school playing field.”
complex
“Though overshadowed by cricket and baseball, rounders preserves an older bat-and-ball tradition that still shapes school sport and summer village games across Britain.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rounders” in context.
Verb
01. coach rounders
“He volunteers to coach rounders at the local junior club.”
verb + noun
02. excel at rounders
“My sister really excels at rounders because she can hit hard.”
verb + prep + noun
03. organise rounders
“The school council helped organise rounders for sports day.”
verb + noun
04. play rounders
“The children go outside to play rounders when the weather is warm.”
verb + noun
05. rounders involves
“Rounders involves batting, bowling, fielding and running round posts.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. competitive rounders
“She prefers competitive rounders to just practising catching in PE.”
adj + noun
07. friendly rounders
“We organised a friendly rounders game to end the term.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. game of rounders
“We had a quick game of rounders on the school field yesterday.”
noun + prep + noun
09. rounders bat
“He picked up the rounders bat and waited for the ball.”
noun + noun
10. join the rounders team
“He decided to join the rounders team for the summer tournament.”
11. play a game of rounders
“We played a game of rounders on the grass behind the school.”
12. play rounders in summer
“British schools often play rounders in summer during PE lessons.”
Usage
Takes a singular verb despite the -s ending: rounders is, not rounders are.
Real-World Examples
“Danielle McIlven, who has been organising games of rounders on the field, attended the school and said Lower Field had been part of her life for years.” Etymology
From round + -er + -s, presumably for the circuit that batters make around the field.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/rounders