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Goalie Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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goalie

[ˈɡoʊ.li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

A goalkeeper in sports such as soccer or hockey who is responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring by defending the goal.

Synonyms

goalkeeper, keeper, netminder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goalie

Commonly used in casual conversation and informal contexts to refer to the player in hockey or soccer who guards the goal.

  • Our team's goalie made an amazing save last night!
  • He's been the best goalie in the league for years.
goalkeeper

Used in formal contexts or official sports commentary, particularly in soccer, to denote the player whose main job is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by guarding the goal.

  • The goalkeeper showed excellent reflexes during the penalty shootout.
  • She was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
netminder

Primarily used in hockey contexts, more informally and often in sports journalism or among fans.

  • The netminder was unbeatable in last night's game.
  • Every netminder dreams of making a save like that.
keeper

A more casual term used interchangeably with 'goalie' and 'goalkeeper,' often found in both informal and some professional contexts, especially in sports like soccer and field hockey.

  • The keeper made a critical save in the last minute of the game.
  • They're looking for a new keeper for the upcoming season.

Examples of usage

  • The goalie made an incredible save in the final minutes of the game.
  • She has been playing as a goalie for the national team for years.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A person who is the last line of defense or protection, often in a metaphorical sense.

Synonyms

defender, guardian, protector.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goalie

Used in the context of sports, particularly in soccer or hockey, to refer to the player responsible for guarding the goal.

  • The goalie made an amazing save during the last minutes of the game.
  • Our team's goalie is the best in the league.
protector

Used to describe someone who keeps others safe, often in a broader or more general sense. It can apply to any situation where someone defends or safeguards someone or something.

  • He saw himself as the protector of his family.
  • She wore protective gear to act as a protector during the experiment.
defender

Commonly used in sports, especially soccer, to refer to a player whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

  • The defender successfully blocked the shot.
  • He plays as a defender for the local soccer team.
guardian

Used in non-sport contexts to refer to someone who is responsible for taking care of or protecting another person, often a child or someone unable to care for themselves.

  • She became the legal guardian of her younger sister.
  • The guardian ensured the child's safety.

Examples of usage

  • As the project manager, she acted as the goalie, ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
  • He sees himself as the goalie of the family, always ready to protect his loved ones.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sports History

  • The role of the goalie became formalized in the late 19th century when football rules began to evolve.
  • In ice hockey, the position was officially recognized with the introduction of masks in the 1950s, enhancing player safety.

Pop Culture

  • Famous goalies like Patrick Roy and Henri Richard have become legends, inspiring many young athletes.
  • Video games like NHL and FIFA often feature special modes focusing on goalie skills, showcasing their importance in these sports.

Science & Psychology

  • Research in sports psychology shows good goalies excel not only in skills but also in mental resilience and focus.
  • The brain of a goalie is trained to react quickly, often making split-second decisions that can change the game's outcome.

Training Techniques

  • Goalies practice specific drills that improve their reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and positioning.
  • Yoga and meditation are often recommended for goalies to enhance their concentration and reduce anxiety during games.

Origin of 'goalie'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'goalie' is a shorter form of 'goalkeeper,' first used in the 1930s in English-speaking sports.
  • Rooted in the word 'goal,' which comes from the Old English 'gāol,' meaning 'a limit' or 'a boundary.'

The term 'goalie' originated in the world of sports, specifically in soccer and hockey, where it is used to refer to the player responsible for defending the goal. The word is a shortened form of 'goalkeeper,' emphasizing the key role of this position in preventing the opposing team from scoring. Over time, 'goalie' has also been adopted in informal contexts to describe someone who acts as the last line of defense or protection in various situations.

See also: goal, goalkeeper, goalless, goalpost, goals, goaltender.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,979 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.