goalie

American  

[goh-lee] / ˈgoʊ li /

noun

• goalies
  plural

1. a goalkeeper.

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goalie British  

/ ˈɡəʊlɪ /

noun

1. informal short for goalkeeper

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Usage

What does goalie mean? In sports like soccer (football) and hockey, goalie is an informal name for the goalkeeper, the player positioned in front of the goal whose job is to prevent the ball or puck from entering it (or crossing the goal line). Goalie can be used to refer to the position or the player. A goalie might say they play goalie. The position is usually officially called goalkeeper or goaltender, but goalie is very commonly used, especially in youth sports. In soccer, the goalkeeper is also sometimes called the keeper. Example: When I played soccer, I was the goalie, and I was pretty good, especially because I was quick and had long arms for my age.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• goalies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goalie

First recorded in 1920–25; goal + -ie

Explanation

In sports, the goalie is the player whose main job is to stop the ball or puck when the opposing team attempts to score a point. A soccer goalie is the only player allowed to grab the ball with her hands. Goalie is short for goalkeeper or goaltender. Soccer (or association football), hockey, water polo, and lacrosse are just some of the sports that use a goalie to intercept shots into the goal. Ice hockey and lacrosse goalies wear protective clothing and a face mask, while a soccer goalie's uniform is usually a distinctive color, different from other players.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

goalie goalies

"Nobody knew who the Cape Verde goalie was... and I don't know that they'll know who he is after the World Cup ends."

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Freeman and Balogun raced Beach to the ball, with Freeman getting there just ahead of the Australian goalie to nod it in.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

She played goalie on soccer teams throughout childhood and in college.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

The first came on a wicked pass from teammate Michael Olise, a running Mbappé slipping past the defense and carving a shot past goalie Édouard Mendy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

“Fullback, I guess. I played some goalie last year, but I never got into a game.”

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor

A dozen years later, the Athletic reports, there are no American goalkeepers in the top five European club leagues and the three goalies on this summer’s roster all play in MLS.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

Since the playoffs began, he has stopped 91.7% of the shots he’s faced—second best in the NHL among goalies with over 10 appearances.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Brind’Amour fully expected to have his goalies split time in the crease in the playoffs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026

Hall of Fame water polo coach Rich Corso has joined the program to coach goalies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2024

Once Swayman is signed, the team will consider whether it can afford to spend upwards of $10 million on goalies or make a trade to shore up other areas of need.

From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2024