footballer
FUUT-baw-luh
Footballer (noun) means a person who plays football, especially professionally. Example: “He grew up dreaming of becoming a professional footballer.”
noun
1
A person who plays football, especially professionally.
"It is footballers though, rather than commentators, presenters or pundits, who when interviewed have provided some of the best Colemanballs."
— George Best, Scoring At Half-Time: Adventures On and Off the Pitch (2004)
"He grew up dreaming of becoming a professional footballer."
"The local footballer signed autographs for the children outside the stadium."
"My cousin is a talented footballer who plays for a small club."
How to use footballer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who plays football, especially at a serious or professional level.
UK vs US
In British English, "footballer" almost always means a soccer player; American English tends to say "football player" instead.
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Word forms
- Plural
- footballers
Fill the gap
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He grew up dreaming of becoming a professional _____.
Etymology
Formed from football and -er. The kyphosid fish sense is named for the resemblance of its stripes to football uniforms.
Synonyms
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football player
soccer player
Rhymes for footballer
See all rhymes for footballer →Frequently asked questions
What does “footballer” mean?
The word “footballer” means a person who plays football, especially professionally. In plain terms, someone who plays football, especially at a serious or professional level.
How do you pronounce “footballer”?
“Footballer” is pronounced FUUT-baw-luh (/ˈfʊtbɔːləɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “footballer” in a sentence?
Here is “footballer” used in a sentence: “He grew up dreaming of becoming a professional footballer.”
What is another word for “footballer”?
Words with a similar meaning to “footballer” include football player and soccer player.
What part of speech is “footballer”?
“Footballer” is a noun.
Is “footballer” a common word?
“Footballer” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a footballer and a soccer player?
Footballer and soccer player refer to the same thing, a person who plays football professionally or otherwise, but the terms reflect regional naming differences. Footballer is standard in British and international English, while soccer player is more common in American English, where "football" refers to a different sport.
Is footballer used for American football players?
No, footballer typically refers to a player of association football, known as soccer in the United States, rather than American football. Someone who plays American football is usually called a football player in that specific context, not a footballer.
Can footballer refer to amateur players or only professionals?
Footballer most commonly refers to someone who plays professionally, but it can also describe any person who plays football regularly, including amateurs. Context usually clarifies whether a professional or casual player is meant.
