Synonyms

free kick

American

noun

Soccer.

an unhindered kick of a stationary ball, usually awarded to a player as the result of a foul committed by a player from the opposing team.

free kick British

noun

soccer a place kick awarded for a foul or infringement, either direct, from which a goal may be scored, or indirect, from which the ball must be touched by at least one other player for a goal to be allowed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of free kick

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

free kick

He ended last season in great form high and wide on the left and looked sharp pre-season scoring a 30-yard direct free kick against Sydney FC.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The U.S. matched that in the 31st minute when Tillman deflected a free kick in off the head of Vanaken following a foul on Balogun.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

He punched away crosses, repelled free kick after free kick and, in one breath-catching moment, spread his limbs to deny Messi in a one-on-one.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

The other night he rolled into the second half of Argentina’s group-stage closer against Jordan and delivered a free kick zapper that sent the Jerrydome into rapture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

At one point he got tripped, and picking himself up, placed the ball on the ground to take the free kick himself.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023