ENGLISH
REFERENCE

soccer

n. · v.
US //ˈsɑkɝ// UK //sˈɒkɐ// soc·cer
  1. 1 the sport (n.)
    A2 Elementary American English Sport

    a game played by two teams who try to kick a ball into a goal without using their hands.

    a form of football played with a round ball, where players (except goalkeepers) are prohibited from using their hands or arms.

    Example

    The kids are playing soccer in the park after school today.

    Example

    The university's soccer team secured a place in the national finals after a series of impressive victories against their regional rivals.

    Usage

    Uncountable noun; usually takes no article.

    Teacher's tip

    In the UK and most of the world, this sport is called 'football'. In the US, Canada, and Australia, 'football' usually refers to other sports, so 'soccer' is used to avoid confusion.
    Pitfall
    I like to play the soccer.
    I like to play soccer.

    Do not use 'the' before the names of sports.

  2. 2 to kick the ball (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

    to kick a ball directly off the ground.

    to kick a ball along the ground without picking it up or using the hands.

    Example

    The player managed to soccer the ball away from the goal.

    Example

    In a desperate defensive move, the fullback soccered the ball toward the sideline to prevent a corner kick.

    Usage

    Transitive verb.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a very rare technical term in sports; learners should almost always use 'kick' instead.
Origin

Originally British English; as an abbreviation for association football, via abbreviation assoc. + -er (suffix); earlier socker (1885), also socca (1889), with soccer attested 1888. Compare contemporary rugger, from rugby. Similarly constructed coinages from the same period include: brekker (“breakfast”), fresher (“freshman”) and footer (“football”). See Oxford -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 19, 2026