Goalkeeper Meaning
/ˈɡɔːl.kiːpɚ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA designated player that attempts to prevent the opposing team from scoring by protecting a goal.
Sentence Examples
Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world.
The ball went one way and the goalkeeper went the other.
The shot was well beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ saved the penalty kick and won the game for his team.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ made a truly spectacular save in the final minute of the match to ensure his team's victory.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English goal English keeper English goalkeeper From goal + keeper.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Krohn-Dehli took advantage of a lucky bounce of the ball after a battling run on the left flank by Simon Poulsen, dummied two defenders and shot low through goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's legs after 24 minutes."
— 2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport:
"Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team."
— 2018, Ace Banking And Static Awareness, page 273:
"Fahd Saleh was a professional goalkeeper at one of Syria's top football clubs before fleeing the civil war."
— 2025 May 1, Jeremy Ball, “Refugee goalie 'over the moon' to coach for England”, in BBC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ saved the penalty kick and won the game for his team.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ made a truly spectacular save in the final minute of the match to ensure his team's victory.