playmaker

American  

[play-may-ker] / ˈpleɪˌmeɪ kər /

noun

Sports.

1. an offensive player, as in basketball or ice hockey, who executes plays designed to put one or more teammates in a position to score.

2. Archaic. a playwright; dramatist.

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playmaker British  

/ ˈpleɪˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. sport a player whose role is to create scoring opportunities for his or her team-mates

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Other Word Forms

• playmaking
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of playmaker

First recorded in 1520–30; play + maker

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

playmaker

In a similar style, so much of Kane's good work for England comes from dropping deep, operating as a playmaker and then surging into the box to finish chances.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Although Arsenal won the Premier League last season, knee and shoulder problems stopped their Norwegian playmaker from reaching his very top level.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Lionel Messi has been a soccer star for so long, Spain’s top playmaker Lamine Yamal appeared alongside the future World Cup foe as a 3-month-old baby.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Another option would be to deploy star playmaker Christian Pulisic in a more central role.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

When she had gone, the playmaker sat for a long while in meditation; and then smilingly he took up his pen.

From The Certain Hour by James Branch Cabell

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