Word
Definitions
01the sport
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Sports
n. a game where two teams use their hands to hit a ball back and forth over a high net.
n. a team sport played on a court where players use their hands or arms to strike a ball over a net, aiming to ground it on the opponent's side.
“We spent the whole afternoon playing volleyball on the beach with some friends.”
“Professional volleyball requires exceptional vertical leap and precise coordination between the setter and the attackers to bypass the opposing block.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the sport in general.
02the ball
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Sports
n. the round, inflated ball used to play the game of volleyball.
n. the specific spherical, inflated ball, typically made of leather or synthetic material, used in the sport of volleyball.
“Can you go to the garage and find the volleyball so we can practice?”
“The coach inspected the volleyballs to ensure they were inflated to the regulation pressure before the tournament began.”
Usage
Countable noun.
Etymology
From volley + ball. In 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, William G. Morgan created a new game called Mintonette, a name derived from the game of badminton. After an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfield College), the game quickly became known as volleyball (it was originally spelled as two words: "volley ball")
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/volleyball
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0