soccer

The word “soccer” means association football, the sport played with a round ball moved mainly by kicking, not touched by hand except by the goalkeeper. In plain terms, the sport called football almost everywhere except the US, Canada, and a few other countries.

“Soccer” is pronounced SOK-uh (/ˈsɑk.ɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “soccer” used in a sentence: “The kids play soccer in the park every Saturday.”

“Soccer” is a noun.

“Soccer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

They are the same sport, association football. "Soccer" is the usual term in the United States, Canada, and Australia, partly to distinguish it from their own football codes, while most of the world calls it "football." Confusingly, "football" in America means gridiron, a different game entirely.

The word comes from "association." When "association football" was named in nineteenth-century England to set it apart from rugby football, students shortened "assoc" to "soccer." So the term actually began in Britain, even though it is now used mainly in North America and a few other countries.

Two teams of eleven try to score by getting the ball into the opposing goal. Outfield players may use their feet, head, or body, but not their hands or arms; only the goalkeeper may handle the ball, within the penalty area. A standard match lasts ninety minutes, split into two halves.

Eleven players from each side are on the pitch at once, including one goalkeeper. Teams also name substitutes on the bench who can replace tired or injured players during the match. If too many players are sent off and a side drops below seven, the game is abandoned.