quarterback

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'quarterback' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a player in American and Canadian football who typically lines up behind the center and directs the offensive play of the team. Example: Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, leading the New England Patriots to multiple Super Bowl wins.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The USFL offered gigantic contracts to entice talented college football players, such as a three-year, $5m, record-setting contract for running back Herschel Walker in 1983, a five-year, $5.5m contract for quarterback Doug Flutie, and an absurd 43-year, $40m contract for quarterback Steve Young to become the franchise player for the Los Angeles Express.

The Guardian - Sport

The All-Pro quarterback – who made a cameo on Wednesday's farewell show – was still a senior at Tennessee and in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony when he made his first appearance on the Show.

The Guardian - Sport

"And I think he's got the talent, so it's just a matter of if he commits himself to it, we can have a really good quarterback on our hands".

The Guardian - Sport

In his teens he was a choirboy, a classical pianist and a football quarterback on the high-school team.

The Guardian - Film

Thomas was still cautious about Manziel's comeback though, and the praise he gave the Browns' new quarterback, Josh McCown, indicated that the starting job is far from settled.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a chance we draft somebody or there's a chance Johnny comes back and he's a new person and he's rededicated to football, and he turns into the great quarterback that we expected when we drafted him in the first round".

The Guardian - Sport

If you fly out of Seattle-Tacoma airport with Alaska Airlines, you can get priority boarding by wearing a jersey bearing the name and number of Russell Wilson, who is a a National Football League quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.

The Economist

However, for the handful of stars who stay healthy, football can offer a decent living: Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos' quarterback, has pulled in over $200m.Given this uncertainty, football players have a strong incentive to lock in a base level of compensation.

The Economist

But then it is equally a pleasure to see Eli Manning, the Giants' quarterback (pictured), who was born into one of football's royal families, do the same.

The Economist

That put the Giants up 21-17, but gave the Patriots and Tom Brady, their superstar quarterback, a final shot at the end zone.

The Economist

MICHAEL VICK (pictured) redefined the role of quarterback, American football's marquee position, when he rushed for 1,039 yards in 2006.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about football, use "quarterback" to clearly denote the player responsible for directing the offense and passing the ball. Ensure the context supports the term; otherwise, consider broader terms like "player" or "leader".

Common error

Avoid using "quarterback" generically to mean any leader. The term specifically refers to a football position. For broader leadership roles, use terms like "leader", "director", or "chief" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "quarterback" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a specific player role in American and Canadian football. According to Ludwig, it refers to the offensive back responsible for passing the ball. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to play the position of quarterback or to lead the offense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "quarterback" is a noun that refers to a crucial player in American and Canadian football who leads the offense, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used both literally in sports contexts and metaphorically to describe a person taking charge. The prevalence of "quarterback" in news and media highlights its importance in sports reporting and analysis. While grammatically straightforward, it's essential to avoid using "quarterback" incorrectly in non-sports contexts to prevent confusion. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage and confirms its grammatical correctness, solidifying its place as a standard term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signal caller

A synonym for "quarterback", emphasizing the role of calling plays.

field general

Another synonym for "quarterback", highlighting leadership on the field.

offensive leader

Describes the quarterback's role in leading the offensive plays.

playmaker

Refers to the quarterback's ability to create opportunities for scoring.

offensive strategist

Highlights the strategic role the quarterback plays in planning and executing plays.

team captain

Focuses on the leadership aspect, though not specific to the quarterback position.

pivot player

Focuses on the quarterback's central role in the offensive strategy and game execution.

the passer

Emphasizes the quarterback's primary skill of passing the football.

chief strategist

Describes the quarterback as the main strategist for the offensive plays.

the triggerman

An informal term emphasizing the quarterback's role in initiating offensive plays.

FAQs

How is "quarterback" used in a sentence?

You can use "quarterback" in a sentence to refer to the football player who leads the offense. For example: "The "quarterback" threw a perfect pass for a touchdown."

What are synonyms for "quarterback" in football?

Synonyms for "quarterback" include "signal caller" and "field general". These terms highlight different aspects of the quarterback's role.

Is it appropriate to use "quarterback" to describe a leader in business?

While you can metaphorically use "quarterback" to describe a leader, it's generally best to use more formal terms like "leader", "director", or "strategist" in business contexts to avoid sounding too casual.

What makes a good "quarterback"?

A good "quarterback" needs to have skills like strong leadership, excellent passing ability, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.