Goalie

'ɡoʊli

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

A player in a team sport whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by guarding the goal.

'ɡoʊli

nounneutralBeginner
General

A player who defends the goal

The goalie's quick reflexes saved the game.

💡 Simply: Imagine playing a game where you have to protect a net. The goalie is the person who stands in front of the net to stop the other team from getting the ball or puck in.

👶 For kids: The person in a game who tries to stop the ball from going in the goal.

More Examples

2

The coach substituted a new goalie at halftime.

3

The goalie's performance was crucial for the team's victory.

How It's Used

Sports (Hockey, Soccer, Lacrosse, etc.)

"The goalie made an amazing save to prevent the opposing team from scoring."

From 'goal' + '-ie' (a suffix indicating a person associated with something). The term developed in sports like hockey and soccer.

The term 'goalie' emerged alongside the development of organized hockey and soccer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early mentions are found in sports reporting.

Memory tip

Think of the person guarding the 'goal' - that's the goalie!

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Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written