rugby
RUHG-bee
Rugby (noun) means a team sport played with an oval ball that can be carried, passed, or kicked, but not thrown forward. Example: “My brother plays rugby for the local club every weekend.”
noun
1
A team sport played with an oval ball that can be carried, passed, or kicked, but not thrown forward.
"My brother plays rugby for the local club every weekend."
"In rugby, you can only pass the ball backwards or sideways."
"They watched the rugby match on Saturday afternoon."
How to use rugby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA physical contact sport similar to American football, popular in the UK, Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
play rugby
rugby team
rugby match
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Word forms
- Plural
- rugbys
- Third person singular
- rugbies
- Past tense
- rugbied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My brother plays _____ for the local club every weekend.
Etymology
Named after Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, where the game is said to have originated in the 19th century.
Class of 1800
rugby joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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rugby football
rugby union
rugby league
rugger
Frequently asked questions
What does “rugby” mean?
The word “rugby” means a team sport played with an oval ball that can be carried, passed, or kicked, but not thrown forward. In plain terms, a physical contact sport similar to American football, popular in the UK, Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth.
How do you pronounce “rugby”?
“Rugby” is pronounced RUHG-bee (/ˈɹʌɡbi/ in IPA).
How do you use “rugby” in a sentence?
Here is “rugby” used in a sentence: “They watched the rugby match on Saturday afternoon.”
What part of speech is “rugby”?
“Rugby” is a noun.
Where does the word “rugby” come from?
The word “rugby” dates back to around 1800. Named after Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, where the game is said to have originated in the 19th century.
Is “rugby” a common word?
“Rugby” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between rugby and American football?
Both descend from a common ancestor, but rugby uses continuous play with no forward passing and minimal padding, and players must pass the ball backward or sideways. American football allows forward passes, uses heavy protective gear, and stops between plays with set downs. Rugby flows; football resets play by play.
What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
They are two codes of the same sport. Rugby union has fifteen players per side and contests possession through rucks, mauls, and lineouts. Rugby league has thirteen players and a set number of tackles before possession changes. Union is more widespread globally, while league is prominent in certain regions.
Why can't you throw the ball forward in rugby?
Forward passing is a foul in rugby, penalised as a "knock-on" or forward pass. The rule forces teams to advance by carrying and kicking, or by passing backward to supporting players. This keeps play flowing and rewards teamwork, positioning, and running lines rather than long throws down the field.
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