goalie
Americannoun
noun
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.
Etymology
Origin of goalie
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.
Vocabulary lists containing goalie
A Soccer and a Football Special
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World Cup Vocabulary
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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.
Meanwhile, Nike has launched its Jordan and Brazil collaboration ahead of the World Cup, with an "old-school jersey" goalie top that's described by the brand as being "field-ready style, remixed for the streets", costing £79.99.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
“As a kid I, got training by a good trainer. He told me, ‘You’re pretty short for a goalie.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
"Muhammet hit the seagull!" he gasped, referring to the goalie.
From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026
Consider Connor Hellebuyck, the impenetrable goalie and star of Sunday’s Team USA victory over Canada.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026
I swapped out and let Greg, our backup goalie, take a few shots.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
