Goalless: meaning, definitions and examples

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goalless

 

[ ˈɡoʊl.ləs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in a sports context

Not scoring any goals; failing to score in a game or match.

Synonyms

scoreless, unsuccessful in scoring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goalless

This term is often used in sports, especially in soccer, to indicate that no goals were scored during a game or a period of the game.

  • The match ended in a goalless draw.
  • Both teams struggled but the first half remained goalless.
scoreless

Similar to 'goalless,' this term is also used in sports but can apply to various sports where scores are tracked, such as basketball, hockey, or soccer. It indicates no points or goals were scored.

  • The baseball game was scoreless until the ninth inning.
  • They played a scoreless first quarter.
unsuccessful in scoring

This phrase is more descriptive and is often used to explain the reason behind a player's or team's performance, focusing on their failure to score rather than the overall game status.

  • The team was unsuccessful in scoring during the entire match.
  • Despite many attempts, he was unsuccessful in scoring any points.

Examples of usage

  • The match ended in a goalless draw.
  • The team's striker had a goalless streak for several games.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a broader context

Lacking ambition, purpose, or direction; without a clear goal or objective.

Synonyms

aimless, directionless, purposeless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goalless

Use this word when describing something or someone that lacks specific objectives or targets.

  • The team played a goalless match and couldn't score any points.
  • She felt goalless after losing her job.
aimless

This word is often used when referring to wandering or actions taken without a clear destination or purpose.

  • He wandered aimlessly through the streets, not sure where to go.
  • Her days felt aimless after she quit her job.
directionless

This term applies when someone or something lacks direction or a clear path forward, often with a negative connotation.

  • After college, he felt directionless, unsure of what to do next.
  • The project became directionless without proper leadership.
purposeless

This word is used when describing actions, events, or people that lack meaning or intent, often with a negative connotation.

  • The meeting felt purposeless and did not achieve anything productive.
  • He lived a purposeless life, with no goals or ambitions.

Examples of usage

  • She felt aimless and goalless after finishing her studies.
  • Without a plan, the project seemed goalless and unproductive.

Translations

Translations of the word "goalless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sem gols

🇮🇳 गोलरहित

🇩🇪 torlos

🇮🇩 tanpa gol

🇺🇦 безгольовий

🇵🇱 bezbramkowy

🇯🇵 無得点

🇫🇷 sans but

🇪🇸 sin goles

🇹🇷 golsüz

🇰🇷 무득점

🇸🇦 بدون أهداف

🇨🇿 bez gólů

🇸🇰 bez gólov

🇨🇳 无进球

🇸🇮 brez zadetkov

🇮🇸 markalaus

🇰🇿 голсыз

🇬🇪 უგოლო

🇦🇿 qolsuz

🇲🇽 sin goles

Etymology

The word 'goalless' originated from the combination of 'goal' (an aim or desired result) and the suffix '-less' (lacking or without). It first appeared in the mid-19th century in the context of sports to describe a match without any goals scored. Over time, its usage expanded to include a broader sense of lacking purpose or direction. The term reflects the importance of having clear objectives and aims in various contexts.

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

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,698, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.