goalkeeper

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "goalkeeper" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who defends the goal in a team sport, such as soccer. For example: "The goalkeeper stopped the ball from entering the goal, and the team won the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is at around 90 seconds into the clip that Speroni grimaces, the commentator declaring "and I'm not quite sure what he's doing" as the goalkeeper dawdles at a back-pass, fails to trick Kevin Campbell and ends up conceding a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

The Roma goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea helped to seal Zeman's fate with his spectacular mishandling of a Danilo Avelar cross.

The Guardian - Sport

But when it looked like their lead was under threat, their goalkeeper Diego Alves was there.

The Guardian - Sport

Lloris was not part of that squad but the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper recognises the mood change in the country and said that his team-mates are determined to build on their momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

Michael McGowan's free-kick was met by the Ayr defender Chris Smith only six yards out but he failed to make proper contact, allowing the goalkeeper Graham Stack to smother.

The Guardian - Sport

The ball comes in from the right, Jermain Defoe leaps highest and brings a smart save out of Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Hadanovic.

The Guardian - Sport

The half-dozen players at the core of the Aranycsapat – the Golden Squad – were all in the side by 1949: Ferenc Puskas and Nandor Hidegkuti made their international bows in 1945, the goalkeeper Gyula Grosics and defender Jozsef Bozsik in 1947, Sandor Kocsis in 1948 and Zoltan Czibor in 1949.

The Guardian - Sport

"What made the difference was the decision to send our goalkeeper off in the first game," Wenger said.

The Guardian - Sport

The goalkeeper gets down to gather at his near post.

The Guardian - Sport

The German goalkeeper is nothing if not decisive and beats the Algeria forward to the bouncing ball by a split second, heading it out for a throw-in before the inevitable collision between the two players.

The Guardian - Sport

Moments later, Bastian Schweinsteiger leaps to head a clipped Lahm cross from the right across the goalkeeper and inside the right post, only to see his effort saved.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports, use "goalkeeper" to maintain a formal and professional tone. In more casual contexts, "goalie" may be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using ice hockey-specific terms like "netminder" when writing about soccer. While semantically similar, they are not interchangeable across all sports.

Linguistic Context

The word "goalkeeper" functions primarily as a noun, designating a specific player position in various sports. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly identifies a player whose main task is to defend the goal. Examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in describing game events and player actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "goalkeeper" is a very common and grammatically correct noun used to describe the player responsible for defending the goal in various sports. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, primarily in the News & Media category. While synonyms like "goalie" exist, "goalkeeper" maintains a neutral and widely accepted tone, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. Best practice is to use "goalkeeper" in formal writing and to be aware of sport-specific terminology to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goalie

A more informal term for "goalkeeper".

goaltender

Another term for "goalkeeper", often used interchangeably.

netminder

A term more commonly used in ice hockey to refer to the "goalkeeper".

keeper

A shortened version of "goalkeeper", commonly used in soccer.

net keeper

A more literal description of the "goalkeeper's" role.

goal minder

Similar to 'net minder', emphasizing the act of guarding the goal.

shot stopper

Highlights the "goalkeeper's" ability to prevent shots from entering the goal.

last line of defense

Describes the "goalkeeper's" strategic importance.

defensive wall

A metaphorical term, emphasizing the "goalkeeper's" role in protecting the goal.

number one

Refers to the "goalkeeper" as the primary choice for the position.

FAQs

What's another word for "goalkeeper"?

Synonyms for "goalkeeper" include "goalie", "goaltender", and "keeper", depending on the sport and context.

Is it correct to say "goalie" instead of "goalkeeper"?

Yes, "goalie" is an acceptable, though more informal, alternative to "goalkeeper". It is commonly used in casual conversation and sports commentary.

What is the role of a "goalkeeper" in a sports team?

The "goalkeeper's" primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by defending their team's goal.

Which sports commonly use the term "goalkeeper"?

"Goalkeeper" is most commonly used in soccer, but similar terms like "netminder" or "goaltender" are used in ice hockey and other sports.