English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

winger

WIHNG-uh

Winger (noun) means a player positioned on the side of the field or pitch in sports like football or hockey. Example: “The winger cut inside and fired a shot at goal.”

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
noun
1
A player positioned on the side of the field or pitch in sports like football or hockey.
"The winger cut inside and fired a shot at goal."

How to use winger

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sports player who plays out wide, on the wing.

Common pairings
left winger skilful winger
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like winger.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

wingers plural, Wingers plural

Test yourself on “winger” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ cut inside and fired a shot at goal.

Etymology

From wing + the agent suffix -er.

wide player flanker wing forward outside player

Related words

Rhymes for winger

See all rhymes for winger →

Frequently asked questions

What does “winger” mean?

The word “winger” means a player positioned on the side of the field or pitch in sports like football or hockey. In plain terms, a sports player who plays out wide, on the wing.

How do you pronounce “winger”?

“Winger” is pronounced WIHNG-uh (/ˈwɪŋ.ɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “winger” in a sentence?

Here is “winger” used in a sentence: “The winger cut inside and fired a shot at goal.”

What part of speech is “winger”?

“Winger” is a noun.

Is “winger” a common word?

“Winger” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between a winger and a forward?

A winger plays out wide on the left or right side of the pitch, while a forward typically operates centrally near the opposition's goal. Wingers focus on beating defenders down the flank and delivering crosses, whereas forwards are usually the main goal-scoring threat through the middle.

Is a winger the same as a wing-back?

No, a winger is primarily an attacking player positioned high up the side of the field, while a wing-back is a hybrid defender-attacker who also covers defensive duties down the flank. Wing-backs track back further and defend more than a typical winger.

Do wingers only play in football?

No, the term winger is also used in hockey and other team sports to describe a player stationed on the side of the playing area. In every case, the role centers on exploiting space near the touchline or boards rather than the middle of the field.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial