soccer
soccer
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "soccer" is /ˈsɒkər/.
sock: /sɒk/ - /s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative), /ɒ/ (open back rounded vowel), /k/ (voiceless velar plosive)
er: /ər/ - /ə/ (schwa), /r/ (voiced postalveolar approximant)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: soccer
Plural Noun: There is no common plural form for "soccer" as it is typically used as a mass noun referring to the sport itself. However, one might informally refer to "soccer games" or "soccer matches."
Adjective: soccer (e.g., "a soccer ball," "a soccer player")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A team sport played with a spherical ball between two teams of 11 players each. The objective is to score by propelling the ball into the opposing goal, primarily using any part of the body except the hands and arms, with the exception of the goalkeepers within their designated penalty area.
Synonyms: football (outside of North America), association football, the beautiful game
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a sport, but conceptually: non-contact sports, individual sports)
Definition: The spherical ball used in the sport of soccer.
Synonyms: football (referring to the ball), soccer ball
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Adjective
Definition: Of or relating to the sport of soccer, or used in connection with it.
Synonyms: football (adj., outside of North America), associational football (adj.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He spent his childhood dreaming of playing professional soccer, idolizing Pelé and Maradona." (From Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby, 1992)
"The coaching philosophy in American soccer has evolved significantly over the past two decades, focusing more on technical skill development."
Newspapers:
"The Harambee Stars secured a crucial victory in their World Cup soccer qualifier, boosting national morale." (The Daily Nation)
"Local youth soccer leagues are seeing record participation numbers this season, highlighting the sport's growing popularity." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Why Major League Soccer is attracting more international stars than ever before." (ESPN FC)
"A comprehensive guide to the best new soccer cleats of 2025, reviewed by professional players." (Goal.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"FIFA 25, the latest installment in the popular soccer video game series, features enhanced graphics and new gameplay modes." (Electronic Arts)
"Our podcast this week delves into the tactical breakdown of last night's thrilling Premier League soccer match." (The Guardian Football Weekly podcast)
"The documentary chronicles the rise of women's soccer and its struggle for equal pay and recognition." (Netflix documentary, "Lift Like a Girl," 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"Are you going to watch the soccer game tonight?" (Common conversational use)
"My son just started playing soccer and he absolutely loves it." (Parent discussing child's activity)
"The atmosphere at the stadium during a live soccer match is just incredible." (Fan discussing experience)
10 Quotes Using Soccer
"What I do is play soccer, which is what I like." (Lionel Messi)
"Soccer is simple, but it is difficult to play simple." (Johan Cruyff)
"I'm attracted to soccer's capacity for beauty. When well played, the game is a dance with a ball." (Eduardo Galeano)
"I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'born' soccer player." (Pelé)
"I learned a long time ago that there is something worse than missing the goal, and that's not pulling the trigger." (Mia Hamm, Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life)
"Soccer is growing fast, and I want to be a part of that." (David Beckham)
"I am a member of the team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." (Mia Hamm)
"My father was a soccer player, and there was a big party, and when Brazil lost to Uruguay, I saw my father crying." (Pelé)
"How could you have a soccer team if all were goalkeepers? How would it be an orchestra if all were French horns?" (Desmond Tutu)
"All I want to do is play soccer and have fun. That's what I love." (Alex Morgan)
Etymology
The word "soccer" comes from the word "association football."
Back in the mid-1800s in England, there were different versions of "football" played, each with slightly different rules. To bring some order, various clubs came together to form the Football Association (FA) in 1863, which codified the rules for what they called "association football."
At the time, it was common for people to create nicknames by taking the middle part of a word and adding "-er" to the end (a practice sometimes called "Oxford '-er'"). So, "association" became "assoc," and with the "-er" ending, it turned into "socker," which then evolved into "soccer."
This helped distinguish "association football" (soccer) from other forms of football, like "rugby football" (which became "rugger"). So, "soccer" was essentially a nickname to differentiate the specific sport governed by the Football Association from other games that also involved kicking a ball.
The first known use of "soccer" with this meaning dates back to the 1880s, primarily among students at English universities, to informally refer to the game of association football.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Soccer
Soccer Mom: A colloquial term for a mother who spends a great deal of time transporting her children to and from soccer practices and other activities.
Soccer hooligan: A term for a disorderly and aggressive fan of a soccer team, typically involved in public disturbances.
The beautiful game: An affectionate nickname for soccer, emphasizing its aesthetic and fluid nature. (Often used universally for the sport, implicitly including "soccer").
To move the goalposts: (Though not exclusively "soccer," this idiom is derived from sports and is highly applicable) To unfairly change the rules or conditions of a process or competition during its course.
To score an own goal: To accidentally hinder one's own efforts or cause damage to one's own side. (Directly from soccer terminology).
To get the ball rolling: To start an activity or process. (While not exclusive to soccer, it's deeply rooted in ball sports).
A game of two halves: A situation or event with two distinct phases, often with a significant change in fortune or performance between them. (Directly from soccer commentary).
To take one for the team: To endure a hardship or make a sacrifice for the benefit of the group. (Common in team sports, including soccer).
No foul, no play: An informal rule suggesting that minor infringements should be overlooked to allow the game to continue. (Specific to soccer discourse).
The referee's decision is final: A phrase emphasizing that the authority's ruling must be accepted without argument. (Common in soccer and other sports).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of soccer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
