English vocabulary by topic
Sports Vocabulary
Talk about the sports you play, the teams you follow and the competitions you watch. This guide teaches general sporting language rather than the specialist rules of one game. Learn the difference between winning a match and beating an opponent, then practise describing both participation and spectatorship.
20 words and phrases · A2–C1 teaching levels · 5 quiz questions
How to use this vocabulary naturally
Use play with games such as tennis, do with activities such as gymnastics, and go with activities such as swimming. These are useful patterns, not rules for every sport. A court, pitch, track and pool are different sporting spaces.
Vocabulary by level
Levels are approximate teaching guides for the meanings shown, not official CEFR word classifications. Start where you feel comfortable and practise each word in your own sentence.
A2 — Everyday essentials
team
A2noun
a group of people who play a sport together
Example: Our team practises in the school hall on Mondays.
player
A2noun
a person taking part in a game or sport
Example: Each player brought a water bottle to training.
match
A2noun
a sporting contest between players or teams
Example: The tennis match lasted nearly two hours.
win
A2verb
to be successful in a game or competition
Example: They hope to win their next match at home.
lose
A2verb
to fail to win a game or competition
Example: We can lose a match and still learn from it.
B1 — Build your range
coach
B1noun
a person who trains a player or team
Example: The coach showed us a safer way to land.
score
B1verb
to gain a point or goal in a game
Example: Our captain scored twice in the final ten minutes.
beat
B1verb
to defeat a person or team in a contest
Example: The visiting team beat us by one goal.
court
B1noun
a marked area used for sports such as tennis or basketball
Example: We booked a tennis court for Saturday morning.
pitch
B1noun
a field used for games such as football or cricket
Example: The football pitch was too wet to use.
equipment
B1uncountable noun
the items needed for a particular activity
Example: The club lends equipment to new members.
training
B1uncountable noun
practice designed to improve sporting skill or fitness
Example: Training starts with gentle movements and simple drills.
B2 — More precise language
athlete
B2noun
a person who competes in sports requiring physical ability
Example: The athlete thanked her training partners after the race.
opponent
B2noun
a person or team you compete against
Example: He shook hands with his opponent after the match.
referee
B2noun
an official who enforces the rules in a match
Example: The referee stopped play when a player fell.
spectator
B2noun
a person who watches an event in person
Example: Spectators gathered beside the finish line.
tournament
B2noun
a series of contests leading to an overall winner
Example: Eight teams entered the weekend tournament.
draw
B2noun
a result in which neither side wins
Example: The match ended in a two-all draw.
C1 — Extend your expression
endurance
C1uncountable noun
the ability to continue physical activity for a long time
Example: The long-distance event tested the runners' endurance.
sportsmanship
C1uncountable noun
fair and respectful behaviour in sport
Example: Helping an opponent showed good sportsmanship.
Common mistakes and better choices
Check: Our team won the other team.
Use: Our team beat the other team.
Win a match, prize or tournament; beat an opponent.
Check: I play swimming every Saturday.
Use: I go swimming every Saturday.
Go swimming is the usual phrase. Use play tennis and do gymnastics for those activities.
Check: The club bought new equipments.
Use: The club bought new equipment.
Equipment is uncountable. Use pieces of equipment when counting individual items.
IELTS speaking examples
These original practice prompts are not official test questions or scored answers. Adapt the language to your own experience. The Part 2 extract is an opening to expand into a longer response.
Part 1
Do you prefer playing sport or watching it?
I prefer playing, although I sometimes watch a tournament with friends. I play tennis at a local court, and regular training gives my week some structure. Winning is enjoyable, but it is not my main reason for going.
Practise: Use play with a named game and distinguish participation from watching.
Part 2 — sample opening
Describe a sporting event you enjoyed watching.
I watched a local football final with my cousin. There were only a few hundred spectators, but the atmosphere was lively. The match ended in a draw before extra time, and our team eventually scored the winning goal.
Practise: Continue with where you watched, what happened and why it was enjoyable.
Part 3
What can children learn from team sports?
Children can learn to cooperate and respect an opponent. A good coach can emphasise sportsmanship rather than just the score. Those lessons are more likely to last if adults also behave respectfully when their team loses.
Practise: Explain the wider lesson and the conditions that encourage it.
Check your understanding
Five-question vocabulary quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Your first choice is scored; read the explanation before moving on.
0 of 5 answered · 0 correct